Role of a Navi, Kingship, and the Narrative of Achav and Eliyahu

Comprehensive review flashcards covering Jewish prophecy (nevuah), kingship, the northern and southern kingdoms, and the narrative of King Achav, Eliyahu, and the widow.

According to Shemot, what is the role of Ahron when Hashem appoints him to Moshe as a navi?

Ahron relays information from Hashem to others.

According to Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, what is NOT the role of a navi, and what is their actual purpose?

Their role is NOT telling the future; their role is to warn benei yisrael so they can repent and to relay God's message.

According to Rambam, what are the qualities of a navi and how does one achieve this status?

A navi is large in his wisdom, strong in his actions, and can work up to become a navi rather than being born one.

What is the Rambam's final point regarding a navi's position in relation to society?

A navi can separate himself from the normal of society.

According to Rambam's second point, for what purposes can a Navi receive nevuah, and why would he need it?

A Navi can receive nevuah to expand his heart and expand his knowledge, and he needs nevuah to prevent sin, to warn, and to rebuke.

According to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Saks, why were navis instituted?

Navis were instituted to speak the truth of God, to remind people of spiritual duties, and to help them repent.

According to Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, what is the meaning of the letter 'nun' and the primary job of a navi?

The meaning of nun is the moving of lips (speaking), and the primary job of a navi is to be a spokesperson.

According to Gemara Megilah, how many prophets were there, how many were recorded, and why was their nevuah recorded?

There were millions of prophets, 48+7 recorded neviem, and their nevuah was written down because it was necessary for all generations, providing a new lesson every time it is read.

According to Devarim, what are the rules governing a Jewish king?

A king must be chosen by Hashem, cannot have a lot of horses, cannot have many wives, cannot have much gold, and has to know the Torah to show he is aware he is underneath God.

How do Rambam and Abarbanel differ on the mitzvah to appoint a king?

Rambam states Jews need to appoint a king; Abarbanel explains that while Hashem knows the people will ask, He does not want them to choose, meaning it is not a mitzvah asei initially, but becomes a halachic mitzvah once they ask.

What are the distinguishing characteristics of Malchut Yehuda?

It contained the Beit Hamikdash, had Rachum as its first king, and comprised two tribes in the south.

What are the distinguishing characteristics of Malchut Israel?

Its first king was Yeravam, it consisted of 10 tribes in the north, and it possessed more land and better water access.

According to Pasuk Chaf Chet, how long did Achav ben Omri rule and what characterized his reign?

He ruled for 22 years, was worse than anyone before him, viewed his goings as lighter than Yeravam, married Izabel, and served avodah zara.

How does Ralbag explain Achav's escalation into worse sins than Yeravam?

Because the sins of Yeravam were perceived as easy in Achav's eyes, he added to them by marrying Ezabel, serving her idol, and building a mizbeach for the idolatry house in Shomron.

According to Rashi on Pasuk Lamed Daled, what was the curse regarding rebuilding Yericho?

When laying the foundation the eldest son will die, and as building continues more sons will die until the youngest dies when the gates are put up.

According to Malbim, why did the people feel emboldened to rebuild Yericho during the days of Achav?

Seeing that Achav committed abominations without being punished, they denied Hashem's intervention, ceased worrying about Yehoshua's curse, and rebuilt Yericho.

According to Rashi, what argument did Achav make to Eliyahu at Chiel's shiva?

Achav questioned whether it was possible that Yehoshua's curse came true while Moshe's curse (that rain stops if Hashem is not served) did not, arguing that the sons must have died by coincidence.

According to the Gemara, what keys does Hashem possess, and how did Eliyahu withhold the rain?

Hashem has three keys (death, life, and rain), and Eliyahu possessed two of those keys, which allowed him to take away the rain.

According to Malbim, why did Eliyahu present the withholding of rain as his own punishment rather than Hashem's?

Eliyahu declared Achav's sins were so bad that he was not deserving of Hashem's punishment, so Eliyahu made it his own punishment, using the term 'matar' to emphasize this distinction.

According to Rashi and Radak, why was Eliyahu told to run and hide after stopping the rain?

Rashi states he had to hide from Izabel and Achav who wanted to kill him; Radak states it was so Eliyahu would not know anyone there.

According to Metzudat David, why did Hashem command ravens to feed Eliyahu?

To teach Eliyahu to have compassion, showing him that if cruel birds could show mercy to him, he should learn to have mercy on Benei Yisrael.

According to Malbim, why did Eliyahu need to go to the almana (widow) before a miracle could occur?

Hashem does not perform a miracle without a big need; the widow had enough food for one meal, but having to feed Eliyahu created a dire need that prompted Hashem's miracle.

How do Rashi and Metzudat David explain the widow's feelings when her son fell ill?

Metzudat David explains she felt perceived as righteous before Eliyahu arrived but was now perceived badly; Rashi explains that prior to his arrival her deeds were worthy of a miracle, but his presence made her deemed unworthy of a nes.