Difference between revisions of "Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story/2"
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<h2>Overview</h2> | <h2>Overview</h2> | ||
− | <p>In attempting to understand the reasons for | + | <p>In attempting to understand the reasons for the Torah's inclusion the episode of the Battle of the Kings, some commentators focus on its relationship to the surrounding Avraham narratives, while others look to its relevance to the broader history of Israel. Thus, Radak and others suggest that the story serves to fill in the portrait of Avraham, highlighting his various qualities that emerge from the story, from selflessness to military prowess.  Cassuto similarly connects the account to the other Avraham narratives, viewing it as the beginning of the realization of the Divine promises to Avraham.</p> |
<p>In contrast, Ramban suggests that the narrative's significance is in its foreshadowing of future history, Israel's ultimate victory over the four kingdoms that will rule over it.  Finally, R. Hirsch asserts that the story comes to emphasize the eternal vulnerability of the land of Israel and its people.</p></div> | <p>In contrast, Ramban suggests that the narrative's significance is in its foreshadowing of future history, Israel's ultimate victory over the four kingdoms that will rule over it.  Finally, R. Hirsch asserts that the story comes to emphasize the eternal vulnerability of the land of Israel and its people.</p></div> | ||
<approaches> | <approaches> | ||
− | <category name=""> | + | <category name=""> <opinion name="">Avraham's Character |
− | < | + | </opinion> |
− | + | <opinion name="">Hashem's Promises | |
− | + | <p>Avraham's victory over the kings constituted a preliminary conquest of Canaan and its neighboring lands and was the beginning of the actualization of Hashem's promises to Avraham. The story is not out of place at all, but rather is integrally connected to the Divine covenants and assurances of the surrounding chapters.</p> | |
− | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiAvot6" data-aht="source">R. Eliezer Ashkenazi</a><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiAvot6" data-aht="source">Ma'asei Avot 6</a><a href="R. Eliezer Ashkenazi (Maasei Hashem)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Eliezer Ashkenazi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">R. S"R Hirsch</a><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. Samson Raphael Hirsch" data-aht="parshan">About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch</a></multilink>, U. Cassuto</mekorot> | |
− | + | <point><b>"To your seed I will give this land"</b> – The two variations within this approach focus on two different groups of Avraham's descendants and the disparate lands which they inherited:<br/> | |
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− | <p>Avraham's victory over the kings constituted a preliminary conquest of Canaan and its neighboring lands and was the beginning of the actualization of Hashem's promises to Avraham. The story is not out of place at all, but rather is integrally connected to the Divine covenants and assurances of the surrounding chapters.</p> | ||
− | <mekorot><multilink><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiAvot6" data-aht="source">R. Eliezer Ashkenazi</a><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiAvot6" data-aht="source">Ma'asei Avot 6</a><a href="R. Eliezer Ashkenazi (Maasei Hashem)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Eliezer Ashkenazi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">R. S"R Hirsch</a><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. Samson Raphael Hirsch" data-aht="parshan">About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch</a></multilink>, U. Cassuto</mekorot> | ||
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<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li><b>The Children of Israel</b> – R. Hirsch and Cassuto claim that since the four kings had conquered the entire region, when Avraham vanquished them and chased them all the way to Damascus,<fn>Cassuto points out that the verses here hint to the extent of the idealistic borders of Israel, achieved only in the time of David.</fn> he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan.  This action thus staked out the Israelites' future claims to the land.</li> | <li><b>The Children of Israel</b> – R. Hirsch and Cassuto claim that since the four kings had conquered the entire region, when Avraham vanquished them and chased them all the way to Damascus,<fn>Cassuto points out that the verses here hint to the extent of the idealistic borders of Israel, achieved only in the time of David.</fn> he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan.  This action thus staked out the Israelites' future claims to the land.</li> | ||
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<li><b>Ammon, Moav, and Seir</b> – The Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto note that Avraham gained rights also to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants and relatives, the progeny of Lot and Esav.  In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered, including the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim, and Hori.  Thus, the story provides the background for how Avraham's family (other than Yaakov's descendants) became sovereign over the entire region.</li> | <li><b>Ammon, Moav, and Seir</b> – The Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto note that Avraham gained rights also to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants and relatives, the progeny of Lot and Esav.  In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered, including the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim, and Hori.  Thus, the story provides the background for how Avraham's family (other than Yaakov's descendants) became sovereign over the entire region.</li> | ||
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
− | + | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – In Devarim 2, when warning the nation that they are not to inherit the lands of Seir, Ammon, or Moav, Moshe mentions all the nations (Refaim, Zuzim etc.) who had previously settled in these lands,<fn>See Devarim 2:10-12 and 20-22.</fn> but were then kicked out.  Devarim thus alludes to Bereshit 14 so as to explain that Avraham's descendants came to possess these lands through Avraham's conquest.</point> | |
− | + | <point><b>Extraneous details</b> – Particularly according to the variation of the Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto, the details of the kings' prior campaigns are important for establishing proof of ownership of the region.</point> | |
+ | </opinion> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
− | <category name=""> | + | <category name="">Forecasting Future History |
− | <p>Avraham's triumph over the four kings foreshadows Israel's future prevailing over the four major kingdoms: Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The import of the episode, thus, lies in its impact on the future of the Israelite nation rather than its contribution to the portrait of Avraham.</p> | + | <opinion name="">Israel's Ultimate Triumph |
− | <mekorot><multilink><a href="BereshitRabbah42-4" data-aht="source">Bereshit Rabbah</a><a href="BereshitRabbah42-2" data-aht="source">42:2</a><a href="BereshitRabbah42-4" data-aht="source">42:4</a><a href="Bereshit Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bereshit Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14:1</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Nachmanides</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RBachyaBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">R. Bachya</a><a href="RBachyaBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14:1</a><a href="R. Bachya b. Asher" data-aht="parshan">About R. Bachya b. Asher</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelBereshit14" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit12Question16" data-aht="source">Bereshit 12 Question 16</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit14" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink><fn>Ramban, R. Bachya, and Abarbanel all cite Bereshit Rabbah.</fn></mekorot> | + | <p>Avraham's triumph over the four kings foreshadows Israel's future prevailing over the four major kingdoms: Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The import of the episode, thus, lies in its impact on the future of the Israelite nation rather than its contribution to the portrait of Avraham.</p> |
− | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="BereshitRabbah42-4" data-aht="source">Bereshit Rabbah</a><a href="BereshitRabbah42-2" data-aht="source">42:2</a><a href="BereshitRabbah42-4" data-aht="source">42:4</a><a href="Bereshit Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bereshit Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14:1</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Nachmanides</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RBachyaBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">R. Bachya</a><a href="RBachyaBereshit14-1" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14:1</a><a href="R. Bachya b. Asher" data-aht="parshan">About R. Bachya b. Asher</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelBereshit14" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit12Question16" data-aht="source">Bereshit 12 Question 16</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit14" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink><fn>Ramban, R. Bachya, and Abarbanel all cite Bereshit Rabbah.</fn></mekorot> | |
− | + | <point><b>מעשה אבות סימן לבנים</b> – Abarbanel points out that this view is consistent with the concept that "כל מה שאירע לאבות סימן לבנים"; the Patriarchs' actions determine the future fate of their descendants.</point> | |
+ | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – Ramban understands many of the other stories of the Patriarchs as similarly creating blueprints for future history.<fn><p>For elaboration, see מעשה אבות סימן לבנים and About <a href="R._Moshe_b._Nachman_(Ramban)" data-aht="parshan">Ramban</a>.</p> | ||
<p> </p></fn> Thus, for example, he asserts that Avraham's descent to Egypt paved the way for the future enslavement of the nation in Egypt and that Yaakov's skirmish with the "איש" represented the future struggles of Israel and their ultimate salvation from their enemies.<fn>Bereshit Rabbah reads this story in the same manner. For more, see <a href="Wrestling_With_Angels_and_Men" data-aht="page">Wrestling with Angels and Men</a>.</fn></point> | <p> </p></fn> Thus, for example, he asserts that Avraham's descent to Egypt paved the way for the future enslavement of the nation in Egypt and that Yaakov's skirmish with the "איש" represented the future struggles of Israel and their ultimate salvation from their enemies.<fn>Bereshit Rabbah reads this story in the same manner. For more, see <a href="Wrestling_With_Angels_and_Men" data-aht="page">Wrestling with Angels and Men</a>.</fn></point> | ||
− | + | <point><b>Extraneous details</b> – This approach might explain that the Torah details the various nations who had been previously conquered by the kings in order to symbolize the vast strength and empires of the four future kingdoms.</point> | |
− | </ | + | </opinion> |
− | < | + | <opinion name="">Israel's Vulnerability of Israel |
− | <p>The episode serves to highlight the precarious placement of Israel amongst the nations.</p> | + | <p>The episode serves to highlight the precarious placement of Israel amongst the nations.</p> |
− | <mekorot><multilink><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">R. S"R Hirsch</a><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. Samson Raphael Hirsch" data-aht="parshan">About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RDZHoffmannBereshit14" data-aht="source">R. D"Z Hoffmann </a><a href="RDZHoffmannBereshit14" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. David Zvi Hoffmann" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Zvi Hoffmann</a></multilink></mekorot> | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">R. S"R Hirsch</a><a href="RSRHirsch" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. Samson Raphael Hirsch" data-aht="parshan">About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RDZHoffmannBereshit14" data-aht="source">R. D"Z Hoffmann </a><a href="RDZHoffmannBereshit14" data-aht="source">Bereshit 14</a><a href="R. David Zvi Hoffmann" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Zvi Hoffmann</a></multilink></mekorot> |
− | + | <point><b>Center of the world</b> – Israel lies at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe and between the two main civilizations of the Ancient Near East, Egypt and Mesopotamia.  As such, it has been eternally caught in the middle of the conflicts of its neighbors.</point> | |
− | + | <point><b>Dependence on Hashem</b> – According to R. Hirsch, Israel was chosen precisely because of this very vulnerability, in order to teach that its security is dependent solely on Hashem. This message of recognition of and reliance on Hashem is one of the key lessons that Avraham introduced to the world.</point> | |
− | + | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – The concept that Israel's natural insecurity is what makes it unique is explicit in Devarim 11 and other Biblical passages as well.  The Torah contrasts Egypt's self sufficiency due to the Nile with Israel's dependence on rain, and thus, Hashem.<fn>R. Hirsch points out that Avraham's first few trials brought home to him this message.  Soon after arrival in Canaan he was forced to leave due to famine and not long after the land was attacked by enemies.  The trials revealed the land's lack of both political and natural security, underscoring that success in such a place must only be due to Hashem's providence.</fn></point> | |
+ | </opinion> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
</approaches> | </approaches> | ||
</page> | </page> | ||
</aht-xml> | </aht-xml> |
Version as of 03:06, 31 October 2014
Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story
Exegetical Approaches
Overview
In attempting to understand the reasons for the Torah's inclusion the episode of the Battle of the Kings, some commentators focus on its relationship to the surrounding Avraham narratives, while others look to its relevance to the broader history of Israel. Thus, Radak and others suggest that the story serves to fill in the portrait of Avraham, highlighting his various qualities that emerge from the story, from selflessness to military prowess. Cassuto similarly connects the account to the other Avraham narratives, viewing it as the beginning of the realization of the Divine promises to Avraham.
In contrast, Ramban suggests that the narrative's significance is in its foreshadowing of future history, Israel's ultimate victory over the four kingdoms that will rule over it. Finally, R. Hirsch asserts that the story comes to emphasize the eternal vulnerability of the land of Israel and its people.
Avraham's Character
Hashem's Promises
Avraham's victory over the kings constituted a preliminary conquest of Canaan and its neighboring lands and was the beginning of the actualization of Hashem's promises to Avraham. The story is not out of place at all, but rather is integrally connected to the Divine covenants and assurances of the surrounding chapters.
- The Children of Israel – R. Hirsch and Cassuto claim that since the four kings had conquered the entire region, when Avraham vanquished them and chased them all the way to Damascus,1 he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan. This action thus staked out the Israelites' future claims to the land.
- Ammon, Moav, and Seir – The Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto note that Avraham gained rights also to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants and relatives, the progeny of Lot and Esav. In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered, including the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim, and Hori. Thus, the story provides the background for how Avraham's family (other than Yaakov's descendants) became sovereign over the entire region.
Forecasting Future History
Israel's Ultimate Triumph
Avraham's triumph over the four kings foreshadows Israel's future prevailing over the four major kingdoms: Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The import of the episode, thus, lies in its impact on the future of the Israelite nation rather than its contribution to the portrait of Avraham.
Israel's Vulnerability of Israel
The episode serves to highlight the precarious placement of Israel amongst the nations.