Here is a chart comparing Gideon to his son Abimelech Gideon Abimelech Called by YHVH to liberate Israel Designates self as king Sacrifices bull on alter to YH Slays 69 brothers on one stone to honor self Spirit of YHVH energizes him YH sends discord around him YH/Gideon + 300 men – no more needed for battle YH fought against Abimelech Refuses kingship Seizes kingship and worships Baal 40 yrs peace, dies ripe old age After 3 yrs, killed ignominiously by woman CHAPTER 9 ·         9:1-5 Abimelech is from Shechem, from the land of his father’s pilgesh (second wife or…

Chapter 6 When we met Deborah the prophet in Jud 4:4-5, she was sitting under a palm tree, communing with the word of God and adjudicating laws for people.  And she is able to deliver the Israelites.  Now, however, YHVH has to send a prophet/angel to dig up a deliverer.  And what does the angel/ YHVH find?  Gideon, whose father is faithfully worshipping at the altar of Baal and the wood of the Asherah.  Gideon bewails his poor family and insignificant birth and repeatedly requires YHVH to provide signs that YHVH is truly a God.  Are these mighty miracles like…

Quick overview of Chapters 1-3 ·         Judah appears to be in the ascendency here.  In their territories, they smite the enemies, except for the inhabitants of the valleys, who have the chariots of iron (Jud 1:19). ·         The Benjaminites, by contrast, are not able to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem. ·         Jud 1:24-25 reminds us of Rahav – the house of Joseph deals kindly with the city dweller who shows them the entrance to the city – they spare him while smiting the rest of the city. ·         Apart from Judah, most of the tribes fail to drive out…

On January 3rd we discussed the prose version of the story of Deborah, Barak, Sisera and Jael. On January 17th we discussed Chapter 5, the song version, which also includes Sisera’s mother.  The Song version differs from the prose version in several ways. o    Barak is presented differently. He is mentioned as a singer, but otherwise not highlighted. §    It is not told that Barak, by being helped by a woman, will have no honor or glory, no right to boast about his deed. §       Jael does not present the murdered Sisera to Barak.  o          The story of…

Heads up on scheduling: In February we will start to study the rest of the judges, chapters 1-3 and chapters 6-12.   We will study chapters 17-21 in the Spring.   My plan is to start I Samuel in the Fall, so that we can read the Hannah Narrative (I Sam 1-2) for Rosh Hashanah.  Between the end of Judges and the beginning of I Samuel, we’ll do some special topics.   If the timing is right, we may study Ruth right before Shavuot.  In the Christian Bible, Ruth is placed between Judges and I Samuel which is a good location in terms…

Samson starts out (vv. 1-2) spending the night with a zonah, with a harlot.  Except that, true to his nature (he can’t seem to connect with women in a sustained way), he jumps up in the middle of the night (v3), grabs the doorposts of the Philistine city, and carries them 35 miles up the mountain to Hebron.  Score one for Samson as he shames the Philistines who were plotting against him.  From here it is all down hill.  Samson loves Delilah (v 4) – the only women he loves.  It’s not clear if Delilah is Philistine or not, but…

Though the story of Samson’s birth has commonality with the biblical births of heroes, it is somewhat comical and might predict that as a hero, Samson will not be up to snuff.   In this light, what does it mean that Samson was an involuntary Nazirite?  He did not take on the role of deliverer which seemed to be thrust upon him.  Remember, too, that a Nazirite was not a hero in the Bible.  Rather, a person who chose to set him/herself apart from the community.   Sacrifice was required in order to return.  Being apart from community was not an end…

Recap of Joshua, Introduction to Judges, Study of Judges 13 (Manoah’s wife and birth of Samson) Key points to remember about Joshua The people are set apart and defined  by Covenant – focus on covenant is central to Joshua Circumcision and Passover mark entry into land – two traditions that became defining practices of Judaism Cherem = proscribing the natives Prominence of Ark of Covenant along with priests, altars and sacrifices – foreshadows centrality of synagogue Ark.    Review verses: 23:11-13 – The Israelites must observe the covenant or YHVH will not drive out the inhabitants of the land 24:14-28…

Evening Torah Study              Book of Judges Led by Penina Weinberg  Eitz Chayim              1st and 3rd Mondays7:30pm to 8:45pm Inaugural two part session November 1 and 15 Introduction to Judges Study of Judges 13-16 After an introduction to Judges, including its relationship to Joshua, we’ll dig in to the narrative of Delilah and Samsonincluding the following Manoah and his wife (parents of Samson) the Timnite woman and the zonah of Gaza Reading Judges 13-16 prior to class is recommended. Through close reading and active discussion, we will explore the intersection of gender and politics.  Later sessions will study Deborah the judge, Gideon,…