Difference between revisions of "Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story/2"
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<category name="">Sign for the Future | <category name="">Sign for the Future | ||
− | <p>Avraham's | + | <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> | <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>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> | <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 future kingdoms.</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> |
</category> | </category> | ||
<category name="">Fulfillment of Hashem's Promise | <category name="">Fulfillment of Hashem's Promise | ||
− | <p> | + | <p>Avraham's victory over the kings constituted a preliminary conquest of Canaan and was the beginning of the actualization of Hashem's promise of the land to Avraham. The story is not out of place at all, but rather is integrally connected to the Divine 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> | <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 | + | <point><b>"To your seed I will give this land"</b><ul> |
− | <li><b>The Children of Israel</b> – R. Hirsch and Cassuto point out that through Avraham's victory over the four kings, he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan. He chased the kings from the south all the way to | + | <li><b>The Children of Israel</b> – R. Hirsch and Cassuto point out that through Avraham's victory over the four kings, he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan. He chased the kings from the south 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> inheriting the land from them, and thus staking out Israel's future rights to Israel.</li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<ul> | <ul> |
Version as of 12:15, 30 October 2014
Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story
Exegetical Approaches
Avraham's Exceptional Qualities
The story highlights how Avraham was unique not only in his monotheistic beliefs but also in his other attributes. The Torah's inclusion of the episode helps the reader better appreciate Avraham's greatness and presents his behavior as a model to emulate.
- Military Might – According to R. Bachya and Abarbanel, Avraham's victory over the kings revealed both his bravery and his capabilities as a military strategist and warrior.1
- Loyalty – Alternatively, Radak, Ralbag, Abarbanel, and R. D"Z Hoffmann assert that the story teaches the importance of enduring loyalty to one's family. Avraham was willing to risk his own life in order to rescue his nephew, even though Lot had taken up company with evil people.
- Selflessness – Ralbag, Abarbanel, and R. D"Z Hoffmann point to Avraham's refusal to benefit from the spoils of battle as evidence of both his generosity and recognition that all belongs to Hashem. Avraham's conduct stands out, particularly in light of the norms of the Ancient Near East in which the victor took the spoils of battle.2
Sign for the Future
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.
Fulfillment of Hashem's Promise
Avraham's victory over the kings constituted a preliminary conquest of Canaan and was the beginning of the actualization of Hashem's promise of the land to Avraham. The story is not out of place at all, but rather is integrally connected to the Divine assurances of the surrounding chapters.
- The Children of Israel – R. Hirsch and Cassuto point out that through Avraham's victory over the four kings, he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan. He chased the kings from the south all the way to Damascus,6 inheriting the land from them, and thus staking out Israel's future rights to Israel.
- Ammon, Moav, and Seir – Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto further point out how Avraham also gained rights to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants, the progeny of Lot and Esav. In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered - the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim and Hori. Thus, here, too, the chapter is emphasizing Avraham's gaining of historical sovereignty.
Vulnerability of Israel
The episode serves to highlight the precarious placement of Israel amongst the nations.