העורך Editor

Ksav Sofer notes that the parsha that speaks of the appointment of a king the Torah uses the singular voice: “Asima alay melech…. Som tasim alecha melech…”   There is a din (O.C. 53:19) that when a congregation appoints a new chazzan, any single individual may object to the appointment (provided they can offer a legitimate reason for doing so).  There has to be no dissension with respect to the final choice.  So too, suggests the Ksav Sofer, when it comes to the appointment of a king, the people have to speak with unanimity, with one voice.  There can be no objections to the selection.

I wonder if this reflects the reality.  David haMelech was chased across the countryside by Shaul — it doesn’t seem that even he had the unanimous consent of the people, at least at the time of his appointment.

Excerpted from Divrei Chaim, here.

Why doesn’t this “reflect the reality”? Did anyone still have a “legitimate” objection against David?

I just read a book in that awful Mussar (sub-)genre of: “explaining” the “48 Kinyanin of Torah”.

From this Braisa:

גדולה תורה יותר מן הכהונה ומן המלכות, שהמלכות נקנית בשלשים מעלות, והכהנה בעשרים וארבע, והתורה נקנית בארבעים ושמונה דברים, ואלו הן, בתלמוד, בשמיעת האזן, בעריכת שפתים…

In the chapter titled “Purity”, the author managed to go through all forms of supposed “purity“, except the plainly true intention: going to the Mikveh for Keri before learning!

He mentioned:

• Thoughts of illicit pride, illicit hatred, illicit relations.
• Touching parts of the body which require Netillas Yadayim.
• Morning Netillas Yadayim.
• Torah study “Shelo Lishmah” (!).
• The Maharsha on Rabbi Chiya’s teaching preparations (with the wrong reference).
• “Impure” funding.

Unbelievable.

Ayn Rand and Friedrich Hayek, that is.

Hayek: “We had a very brief exchange. She swelled in anger and spun away, remaining only long enough to say, ‘You are a compromiser.'”

Source: letter here.

I note he doesn’t elaborate on what he said at the time.

20 Preppers Speculate What Civil War 2.0 Would Look Like in America, by Daisy Luther.

Find the article here.

“Chapter Six“, if you prefer.

הלומד מחברו פרק אחד או הלכה אחת או פסוק אחד או דבור אחד או אפילו אות אחת, צריך לנהג בו כבוד, שכן מצינו בדוד מלך ישראל, שלא למד מאחיתופל אלא שני דברים בלבד, קראו רבו אלופו ומידעו, שנאמר “ואתה אנוש כערכי אלופי ומידעי”.

אמרתי לו: אם אתה נותן לי כל כסף וזהב ואבנים טובות ומרגליות שבעולם, איני דר אלא במקום תורה.
וכן כתוב בספר תהלים, על ידי דוד מלך ישראל: “טוב לי תורת פיך מאלפי זהב וכסף”.

If it was Halacha, perhaps there is another sage called “David”, but in Scripture? Experts say better to avoid asking without answering, but I just don’t know. (Tif’eres Yisra’el explains only the second time: since David Hamelech was wealthy.)