Well, this isn't going to be very creative, so please excuse me. But perhaps it will be useful if you weren't here or didn't take notes today.
Chizkiyahu
- Year 0 of reign: peleh yoetz: He will have the potential to be Mashiach, for there to be a religious revival both ben adam lemakom and ben adam lechavero, or social justice.
- Year 1 of reign: Religious revival
- Took away bamot and the nachash (that was used for avodah zarah)
- There was a big (fake) Pesach celebration
- All of these Mitzvot are ben adam lemakom
- This was at a time when Yishayahu was very influential in Chizkiyahu's life and the decisions he makes
- Year 6 of reign:
- Shomron was exiled
- (*not sure exactly the year) Ashdod was attacked by Ashur
- (*)Chizkiyahu abandoned the policy of his father by the alliance with Assyria
- Attacked Plishtim and made alliance with Mitzrayim
- Year 14 of reign: (slowly Yishayahu has been becoming less influential in Chizkiyahu's life)
- He forfeits the city
- He changed the water supply so that it went underground and then into Yirushalayim
- This is seen as a bad thing because he didn't consult with Yishayahu about whether it was okay, and although it is a good thing strategically, the water-plan also shows a lack of faith in Hashem. (With Yishayahu's okay, though, it would have been fine)
- He sent money to Ashur
- Perakim 36 and 37 happen in the 14th year of his reign for sure, 38 talks about the salvation of the city and most probably also takes place in the same time period
- 36- RavShakeh comes
- 37- Miraculous salvation of the city
- For these political miracles, there is no shira (praise) from Yishayahu, though clearly the situation called for it.
- 38- He was sick, and davened and got healed and promised 15 more years
- On this personal matter, we see that now he does praise Hashem
I think that Chizkiyahu praised Hashem for his own matters and not for the political reasons not because he was selfish and not recognizing God for the miracles that God made, but he was a human being who was not perfect. Praising God for giving him more years to live was easier and more natural for him to do, than praising God for saving the city.
ReplyDeleteI would like to half agree with Sharon and half with Racheli.
ReplyDeleteThere is a bit of two facedness going on here. But then again, it wasn't as though he were saying, "This political success is all mine!!" and then cue the evil laughter. It was more like. "Yay! We won!" it may not have been the right thing to do, but nor was it the wrong thing.
but even so we see that only cares about G-d in an acknowledging/watch over me way. which he shouldnt have.
but then again, he didnt grow up knowing that that was the right way to do things. his father was achaz, and no one was there to set an example of Hashem being politically in control as well. which he shouldve inferred, but still, he didnt grow up with that.
so he is half two faced, half wrong and half right, and half normal selfish human and then a strong, loving Hashem half.
I think I may have been a little unclear. He's definitely two faced, but then again, a lot of people are. I am not putting him down for what we did, because I think that it is amazing that he was a good person in the first place. Like Zahava said- he grew up with a wicked father, it must have been hard. Also, by all means when I said two faced I was not implying that he was selfish.
ReplyDeleteYou can't be half two faced! The whole "half" thing- that is what is him being two faced! All I meant by two faced is that he's not exactly this one definite personality. As in, he's not completely into the religious revival and he also has political self.
(All of Zahava's last paragraph could be used to prove that he is two faced.)
Two-sided, if you may.
Somewhat of a mystery.
Not always on the same line.
A) Nice saying Racheli......
ReplyDeleteB) Kind of along the same lines of what Sharon said- I think we have always learned to have very high expectations if you will for the profit of the nation. I think that we have always learned that he should be this perfect man who does everything right and praises G-d/only lives for G-d. True he is human and he does make mistakes but I think the part that keeps annoying me is that we learned that G-d knows the outcome and yes we also learned that people have free will but if G-d had known that this would have happened with Chizkiyahu, why would He have picked Chizkiyahu? There probably wasn't anyone better and yes at least Chizkiyahu praised G-d most of the time but if there is one thing I have for sure learned its in times of need turn to the only guy upstairs who can change things. Doesn't Chizkiyahu figure out from Moshe and even the rest of our forefather that G-d will take care of everything and make sure everything works out?
Well that is what is troubling me. If anyone can give a good answer it would be much appreciated! :)
It annoys me how God has such high expectations of them, they're human beings, and Zahava has made good points like that his father was achaz who was wicked.
ReplyDeleteI just dont understand. God created the world and people imperfect so we can make it perfect and work on ourselves...then if he already knows, that people might not be perfect why does he punish them?! Yes they are an example for everyone, but then God should maybe do it easier for them since clearly having a king does not work.
While i do agree that it was obviously hard for Chezkiyahu to be perfect because he grew up with Achaz as his father.
ReplyDeleteHowever I suppose that we cant just say that if we grew up in a certain way that isnt right, then we should remain that way. We should be able to figure out what is right and wrong and what is the best way to behave. And Chezkiyahu did have other people telling him how to live [well, at least Yeshayahu].
We have to see both sides of the argument...
i dont know theres different ways to look at it...
Orly- yes we are told that HaShem is in control and everything, but it's also like we learned today in Torah Sheba'al Peh. Ain Somchim Al Hanes. Don't depend on a miracle. Of course HaShem is watching out for us and taking care of us and everything, but we can't just do nothing and wait for HaShem to take care of it all.
ReplyDelete