THE LEARNING OF YERUSHALMI IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
Dora Bas Rivka Silver O'H
Dora Bas Rivka Silver O'H
II Kings - Chapter 14
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein
The Cedar and the Thornbush
By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Yehoash, king of Judah, was succeeded by his son Amatzyah. (Remember, there were two kings named Yehoash. The one from Judah was the last surviving descendant of Solomon, who was hidden and raised in the Temple.) Amatzyah was like his father - overall good, but not righteous to the extent David had been. When his position was secure, he executed the assassins who had killed his father. He did not kill the assassins' sons, because the Torah prohibits such behavior. (Such action could have been justified as a deterrent to future rebels, but Amatzyah wouldn't have it.) Amatzyah defeated Edom in battle and became haughty; he thereupon challenged Yehoash, king of Israel, to war.
Yehoash, king of Israel, replied with a metaphor. "The thornbush wanted to marry his children to the cedar's children. Not only is the thought ridiculous, the thornbush got trampled by an animal." (In short, Yehoash was telling Amatzyah not to think too much of himself or he would come to regret it.) Amatzyah wouldn't listen, so they went to war. Sure enough, Israel completely routed Judah. Yehoash captured Amatzyah, he breached the wall of Jerusalem, and he plundered the Temple and palace. (Even if the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were at war, Yehoash should still have refrained from plundering the Temple.) Yehoash of Israel reigned for 16 years. He died and was succeeded by his son Yaravam (Jeroboam).
Amatzyah lived for fifteen years after Yehoash died. There was a plot against him and he ran away to Lachish, but his enemies pursued him and killed him there. He was succeeded by his son Azaryah, who was 16 years old.
Yaravam (the second king of Israel to bear that name) was just as sinful as his namesake. He reclaimed land that had been captured from Israel in accordance with a prophecy from Jonah (which is not recorded). Even though Yaravam was evil, G-d saw the people were suffering and sent salvation through him. Yaravam reigned for 41 years and was succeeded by his son, Zecharyah.
A short Insight into II Kings, Chapter 14
In verse six in our chapter, we find that at least the book of Devarim is called the Book of the Torah of Moshe. Why is this book called by the name of a human being – Moshe Rabbeinu?The Medresh Rabbah (Bamidbar Rabbah 19, 17) explains that when Hashem said, “Who visits the sin of the fathers on the sons” (Shemos 34,7), Moshe responded, “Master of the World, there are many wicked people who have righteous children! Should these children be punished for the sins of their fathers? Terach served idols and his son Avraham was a tzaddik. Chizkiyah was righteous. His father, Achaz, was wicked. Yoshiyah was a tzadik and Amon, his father, was wicked. Is it proper to have the righteous afflicted because of the sin of the father?
Hashem responded, “You have taught me. I swear to abolish my previous policy. I will sustain your words - that fathers should not be punished for the sins of the children and children should not be punished for the sins of the fathers (Devarim 24, 16). I also swear that I will write this law in your name since you lobbied for this policy.
Therefore, our verse says, “As it is written in the Book of The Torah of Moshe that Hashem commanded.”
