Chaya Rochel Nach Yomi

*Melachim Aleph 22*

Learn the perek (with translation and classic commentaries): https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/22.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

There was no war between Aram and Yisrael for three years and Yehoshaphat Melech Yehudah visits Achav.

Achav decides to claim Ramos-Gilad back from Aram and asks Yehoshaphat to join him and Yehoshaphat agrees to but wants to ask if its ratzon Hashem.

Achav gathers about 400 false prophets who all tell him to go to war but Yehoshaphat asks for a Navi Hashem.

Achav says that they can get Michayhu ben Yimlah but he hates him because his prophecies are always negative for him and they send for him.

Meanwhile, Tzidkiyah ben Canaanah makes iron horns and tells them “in Hashem’s name” that they would gore Aram.

Michayhu is brought before the kings and told that the other “prophets” had unanimously said that they should fight Aram but he says he will say whatever Hashem says.

They ask him what Hashem says and he says they should go to war and be successful.

Achav demands he speak the truth and Michayhu says that Hashem actually said that the Bnei Yisrael would end up like sheep without a shepherd, upsetting Achav.

He says further that the false prophets were being used as tools by the Heavens to lure Achav into war, causing Tzdikiyah to slap him in the face.

Michayhu is placed in prison until “Achav returns from war” and Achav and Yehoshaphat go to war.

Melech Aram tells his men to only kill Achav so they leave alone Yehoshaphat when he cries out.

Achav is shot unintentionally by a bow and arrow, asks his driver to leave, and he dies while propped up in the chariot in the midst of the war.

The war ends, Achav is buried, and he is succeeded by his son Achazyah.

The Navi tells us that Yehoshaphat ben Asa was righteous like his father though he didn’t take down the bamos and he even made peace between Yehudah and Yisrael.

It tells about Yehoshaphat’s eradication of immorality from the land and his ultimate refusal to join Achazyah in an expedition.

The Navi then tells us that Achazyah followed in the ways of his father, mother, and Yaravam, angering Hashem.

*Melachim Aleph 21*

Learn the Perek with translation and classic commentaries:

https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/21.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

_Based on the Navi Rishonim summaries of Pisron Daniel, R' Daniel Eisenberg_

● Achav wants a vineyard that Navos HaYizr’eli has but Navos refuses to sell it to him, making him upset to the point that he wouldn’t eat.

● Izevel tells him to eat because she’ll get it for him and she sends messages in his name to the elders and officers of town telling them to declare a fast, seat Navos at the head, and testify that they heard Navos “bless” Hashem’s Name and the king.

● They follow her instructions and have Navos stoned to death.

● Izevel informs Achav that Navos is dead and the vineyard is available and Achav goes to inherit it.

● Hashem sends Eliyahu to tell Achav that because he “killed” Navos and inherited the vineyard, his blood would be licked up by dogs where Navos’ blood was.

● Achav sarcastically responds and Eliyahu blasts him with all the curses of Yaravam’s house causing him to tear his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fast.

● Hashem then tells Eliyahu that since Achav had humbled himself before Him, He wouldn’t bring all the punishments upon his household until after his death.

*Melachim Aleph 20*

Learn the Perek with translation and classic commentaries:

https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/20.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

_Based on the Navi summaries of Pisron Daniel, R' Daniel Eisenberg_

● Ben-Hadad Melech Aram, with the support of 32 kings, tells Achav that his wives, children, and wealth belong to him and Achav concedes that he and the aforementioned belong to Ben-Hadad and Ben-Hadad responds that he will be sending messengers to indeed take Achav’s wives, children, wealth, and “everything precious in Achav’s eyes.”

● Achav asks the elders for advice and they tell him not to consent so he tells Ben-Hadad that he can grant the first request but not “this thing” (Chazal: a Sefer Torah).

● Ben-Hadad threatens Achav but Achav responds harshly and Ben-Hadad tells his troops to set up an attack.

● A navi (Michayhu) tells Achav that he will lead the young officers in battle to victory.

● Achav’s unassuming army surprises and strikes down Ben-Hadad’s army while Ben-Hadad is drunk. Achav’s army pursues Aram and Ben-Hadad flees.

● The navi tells Achav that Aram will be back. Assuming that the Israel victory was due to their G-d being “G-d of the mountains,” they plan a new attack in the plains to eliminate the Israelite advantage.

● Aram attacks, the Bnei Yisrael strike down Aram, the city wall falls on many thousands of Aram, and Ben-Hadad flees.

● Taking advice from his servants to take advantage of Israelite mercy, Ben-Hadad and his servants beg for mercy and Achav responds calling Ben-Hadad his brother. Achav helps Ben-Hadad onto his chariot and Ben-Hadad promises to return cities that his father had conquered and Achav sends him off with their covenant.

● One of the Bnei HaNeviim (Michayhu) asks another to hit him in the name of G-d but he refuses and is eaten by a lion. He asks another to hit him and he does. He covers his face with a scarf and approaches Achav indicating through a mashal that Achav would lose his life for not killing Ben-Hadad, making Achav return home upset.

*Melachim Aleph 19*

Learn the perek (with translation and classic commentaries): https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/19.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

Achav tells Izevel about what happened on Har Carmel and she sends a message to Eliyahu that she will do the same to him the next day.

Eliyahu flees to the desert, sits under a tree, and asks Hashem to take his life before falling asleep.

An angel provides food and water for him, wakes him up, and tells him to eat.

He falls asleep again and is awoken again and told to go on a journey and he travels for 40 days and nights to Har Choreiv.

Hashem asks what he’s doing there and he responds that he was zealous for G-d and recounts what he did, ending that his life is on the line.

Hashem tells him to exit the cave and stand on the mountain and he is shown a powerful wind, earthquake, and fire, all of which he is told that Hashem is not in.

A still, thin voice is heard and Eliyahu covers his face.

Hashem again asks what he’s doing there and he gives the same answer.

Hashem then tells him to appoint new kings over Israel and Aram and appoint Elisha ben Shafat as the new Navi.

Eliyahu finds Elisha plowing with 12 oxen and puts his mantle over him.

Elisha bids farewell to his parents and makes a feast in honor of the occasion and goes to serve Eliyahu.

*Melachim Aleph 18*

Learn the Perek with translation and classic commentaries:

https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/18.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

_Based on the Navi Rishonim summaries of Pisron Daniel, R' Daniel Eisenberg_

● In the third year, Hashem tells Eliyahu to go to Achav as He will send rain.

● Achav and the head of his household, Ovadyahu, who secretly saved and sustained 100 prophets when Izevel was killing them all, went to look for grass for their animals.

● They split up and Eliyahu appears before Ovadyahu and tells him to tell Achav that he has come.

● Ovadyahu expresses concern that Eliyahu will disappear and Achav will kill Ovadyahu so Eliyahu swears he won’t.

● Achav is brought and accuses Eliyahu of making problems for Israel and Eliyahu responds by asking for 950 prophets of Baal and the Asheirah to join him on Har Carmel.

● When they get there, Eliyahu asks them to stop going back and forth between G-d and Baal and offers a challenge and they will both offer bulls to their gods and whichever is accepted by a Heavenly fire is the real G-d, which is accepted.

● The Neviei Baal choose a bull and try different rituals and prayers until noon but are unsuccessful and mocked by Eliyahu.

● Eliyahu then builds a 12-stone mizbeiach “B’Sheim Hashem,” slaughters his bull, has three jugs of water poured on it, and prays that Hashem answer him.

● Hashem sends a fire which consumes the bull and the nation watching bows and twice proclaims “Hashem Hu HaElokim!”

● Eliyahu, with the nation’s help, slaughters all the false prophets and then tells Achav to go home and eat and drink because it’s about to rain.

● Eliyahu repeatedly sends his attendant seven times to check if there’s any rain and finally a small cloud appears.

● Achav rides home and gets caught in the rain and Eliyahu runs ahead of Achav until he gets back to Yizr’el.

*Melachim Aleph 17*

Learn the Perek with translation and classic commentaries:

https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/17.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

_Based on the Navi summaries of Pisron Daniel, R' Daniel Eisenberg_

● Eliyahu HaNavi tells Achav that there will not be rain or dew in Israel except through his word.

● Hashem tells Eliyahu to go into hiding by Nachal Kris and ravens bring him bread and meat twice daily.

● After a year, the brook dries up and Hashem tells him to go to Tzarfas and be supported by a widow there.

When he arrives, he sees a widow gathering wood and asks her for water, which she gives him. When he asks for bread, she says she has nothing but a little oil and flour which she needs for herself and her starving son. He tells her to make him a small cake anyway and when she does, the oil and flour miraculously don’t empty out until after the famine. He lives there for a year.

One day, her son becomes deathly ill and stops breathing and she tells Eliyahu. Eliyahu gets on the boy and davens and Hashem brings him back to life.

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Note, the Parsha connection in this re-run Shiur from last cycle is relevant to B'Har-B'Chukosai, which is NOT this week's Parsha.

*Melachim Aleph 16*

Learn the perek (with translation and classic commentaries): https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/16.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

Yeihu ben Chanani is told that Basha failed in his responsibility as Melech Yisrael so he will suffer the same fate and terrible curse as Yaravam.

Basha dies and is succeeded by his son Eilah who also reigns for under two years before being assassinated in a drunken state by Zimri.

Zimri kills out all the males of his family but only reigns for seven days before being assassinated by the people’s chosen commander, Omri.

Half of Israel wants Omri to be king and half wants Tivni to be king so even Yisrael is split with two kings until Tivni dies and Omri prevails, reigning for 12 years overall.

Omri builds up Israel but is more sinful than all the previous kings and is succeeded by his son Achav who is far worse than Yaravam.

He marries Izevel bas Esbaal Melech HaTzidonim, worships, bows to, and builds mizbachos for Baal, and makes an Asheirah.

Chiel builds up Yericho and loses his children through the construction in accordance with Yehoshua’s curse.

*Melachim Aleph 15*

Learn the Perek with translation and classic commentaries:

https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/15.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

_Based on the Navi Rishonim summaries of Pisron Daniel, R' Daniel Eisenberg_

● Aviyam is seemingly no better than his father Rechavam as he too doesn’t follow in the ways of Dovid and he reigns for just 3 years before dying and being succeeded by (his son) Asa, who reigns for 41 years.

● Asa removes idolatry and harlotry from the land and despite not having removed bamos is considered having followed in Dovid’s footsteps.

● Asa Melech Yehudah and Basha Melech Yisrael are constantly at war and Basha attacks, causing Asa to give the Beis HaMikdash’s treasury to Ben-Hadad Melech Aram asking him to remain neutral and not help Basha.

● Ben-Hadad goes beyond the request and attacks Yisrael, causing Basha to retreat and Asa and Yehudah immediately dismantle his fortress.

● Asa’s legs weaken in his old age and eventually dies and is succeeded by his son Yehoshaphat.

● Meanwhile, during the second year of Asa’s reign, Nadav ben Yaravam, who was evil like his father, becomes Melech Yisrael but reigns for under two years as he is murdered with the rest of his family by the also evil Basha ben Achiyah L’Beis Yissachar who ultimately succeeds him and rules for 24 years.

*Melachim Aleph 14*

Learn the Perek with translation and classic commentaries:

https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/14.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

_Based on the Navi summaries of Pisron Daniel, R' Daniel Eisenberg_

● Yaravam’s son Aviyah gets sick so he tells his wife to disguise herself and go to Achiyah HaNavi but as soon as she walks in the door, the blind Achiyah identifies her and pronounces terrible curses of death upon Yaravam and his family for not following in Dovid’s footsteps, stating that Hashem will find a new king for Yisrael and her son would die upon her return home, and he indeed does.

● Yaravam ultimately dies after 22 years of being king.

● Rechavam reigns for 17 years over Yehudah but during that reign Yehudah is also filled with idolatry and immorality and Yehudah even suffers an embarrassing attack and robbery of the Beis HaMikdash’s treasury at the hands of Shishak Melech Mitzrayim.

● Rechavam ben Naamah HaAmonis dies and is succeeded by his son Aviyam.

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● The Legacy of Yaravam Ben Nevat - WHAT HAPPENED?!

● Was Yaravam supposed to be the next Moshe Rabbeinu?

● And why do Yaravam’s sons' names sound so familiar? Nadav & Aviyah...

*Melachim Aleph 13*

Learn the perek (with translation and classic commentaries): https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Melakhim_I/13.1#e0n6

*Perek Points*

Just before Yaravam brings the ketores, a navi (Ido) tells him that Yoshiah will descend from Dovid and kill all the priests of the bamos.

Yaravam stretches out his hand towards the navi and yells for him to be seized but his arm becomes paralyzed.

The altar splits and ashes spill in accordance with the navi’s word and Yaravam asks the navi to pray for him to be able to return his arm and he does.

Yaravam asks the navi to eat with him but he refuses because Hashem had commanded him not to.

An old (false) prophet hears about the navi from his sons, finds him, and offers him to come eat.

The navi again refuses because of Hashem’s command but the old navi says that he too was a navi and that Hashem had told him that the navi can come.

At the meal, the old navi says, with nevuah, that the navi will die for transgressing Hashem’s word.

When the navi leaves on donkey, is killed by a lion, and the lion and donkey stand by his body.

Word gets out and the old navi goes to see for himself the sight of the body with the lion and donkey standing by.

He brings the body home, eulogizes over him, buries him, and asks his own sons to bury him with the navi.

After all this, Yaravam doesn’t do Teshuvah and appoints more non-Kohanim as priests.