Untold Stories Of The Torah (Jewish History)

Yoel Hanavi prophesized during one of the worst (famine and locust) disasters in Jewish History. He lived through the disaster himself and is also the author of the book of Yoel (in the Trei Asar, also known as the Minor Prophets). His book also contains some of the most fascinating prophecies about what the world will be like right before Moshiach comes. 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Yaakov's Vision of Future Events 03:09 - A son of Shmuel Hanavi 07:56 - Yoel, the Judge after Shmuel Hanavi 16:40 - Yoel's Teshuvah 18:57 - Yoel's Warning of Locust 29:12 - Yoel's Call for Teshuvah 32:15 - The Start of the Locust 32:47 - Elisha Hanavi and the Famine 40:01 - King Yehoram's Reaction to the Famine --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/torah-heroes/support

The final installment of the story of the life of Shimshon Hagibor, (Samson and Delilah). 00:00 - Intro 01:36 - Shimshon’s Rulership and End of Leadership 07:06 - Going Down to Azza 17:10 - Marrying Delilah and Understanding Delilah 26:20 - Plishti Officers Bribe Delilah 33:10 - Delilah Pressing for Shimshon’s Power 50:19 - Shimshon’s Blinding and Imprisonment 55:55 - Plishtim’s Celebration Followed by Shimshon’s Revenge 1:06:50 - Shimshon’s Burial and Legacy --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/torah-heroes/support

Shimshon’s Wife BetrayalDiscussion of Shimshon’s wife is given to another man and the differing opinions on why Shimshon was angry, including betrayal and infidelity. The Wheat Harvest & Shimshon’s ReturnShimshon returns after a year, bringing a goat to reconcile with his wife, only to discover she’s been remarried. His anger builds, setting the stage for his revenge. Divine Providence and TimingExploration of how Shimshon’s timing coincides with divine providence during the wheat harvest, which amplifies the devastation he is about to unleash. Shimshon’s Emotional ConflictFurther analysis of Shimshon’s internal conflict, his desire to take his wife back despite her betrayal, and the complexities of his decisions as guided by Hashem. Shimshon’s Strategic RevengeShimshon’s calculated move to reignite conflict with the Plishtim without involving the Jewish people. The destruction of their crops is part of his wider strategy. Justification for Shimshon’s ActionsShimshon declares that his revenge against the Plishtim is just and that any mischief he causes is lawful due to their wrongdoings. The Marriage ControversyDiscussion on the legality of the marriage of Shimshon’s wife to another man and how it publicly justified his vengeance against the entire Plishtim community. Shimshon’s Foxes and FireShimshon’s revenge method: setting 300 foxes with torches loose in the Plishtim fields, burning their crops, and causing financial ruin during the wheat harvest. Plishtim’s Retaliation and Shimshon’s ResponseThe Plishtim investigate Shimshon’s actions, realize his power, and burn his wife and father-in-law alive to appease him. Shimshon, in response, promises greater vengeance. The Great Slaughter: Hip and ThighShimshon slaughters many Plishtim with a strange tactic, striking them “hip and thigh,” a phrase indicating a chaotic and brutal battle. Shimshon Hides from the PlishtimAfter the battle, Shimshon goes into hiding in a rock crevice, and the Plishtim gather their forces to confront him, aiming to capture him again. Shimshon Captured and FreedThe men of Yehuda hand Shimshon over to the Plishtim, binding him with ropes. However, divine intervention allows him to break free. Shimshon’s Victory with the Donkey JawboneUsing a moist donkey’s jawbone, Shimshon kills 1,000 Plishtim soldiers, emphasizing the miraculous nature of his victory. Shimshon’s Dehydration and Miraculous RevivalAfter the battle, Shimshon suffers severe dehydration and calls out to Hashem, who miraculously provides water, reviving him at the last moment. The Importance of Praising HashemThe story of Shimshon is connected to the lesson of praising Hashem in everyday life, drawing a parallel to a teaching of the Baal Shem Tov. Shimshon Judges Israel for 20 YearsAfter his miraculous victories, Shimshon judges Israel for 20 years, providing protection and leadership against the Plishtim during their oppression of the Jewish people. Dedicated Leilui nishmas: - Abba halevi ben zusha - Aryeh leib halevi ben yaakov - Nachum hirsh ben efrayim - Meir yitzchak ben avraham 00:00 - Introduction 00:29 - Shimshon’s Wife Betrayal 01:12 - The Wheat Harvest & Shimshon’s Return 02:25 - Divine Providence and Timing 03:39 - Shimshon’s Emotional Conflict 04:38 - Shimshon’s Strategic Revenge 08:56 - Justification for Shimshon’s Actions 09:57 - The Marriage Controversy 12:00 - Shimshon’s Foxes and Fire 16:26 - Plishtim’s Retaliation and Shimshon’s Response 19:43 - The Great Slaughter: Hip and Thigh 27:06 - Shimshon Hides from the Plishtim 32:02 - Shimshon Captured and Freed 37:22 - Shimshon’s Victory with the Donkey Jawbone 44:00 - Shimshon’s Dehydration and Miraculous Revival 47:14 - The Importance of Praising Hashem 58:32 - Shimshon Judges Israel for 20 Years --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/torah-heroes/support

Rabbi Aber introduces Untold Stories of the Torah, continuing the story of Shimshon in part four. The focus is on Shimshon’s miraculous killing of a lion, and how this event, though kept secret from his parents, sets the stage for key moments in the wedding and riddle challenge. Recap of Shimshon’s Lion EncounterShimshon’s encounter with the lion and later discovery of honey in its carcass becomes a central theme. The Wedding Feast and CompanionsShimshon’s father arranges a wedding feast as was customary, and the Philistines assign Shimshon thirty companions due to his isolation. Debate Over Wedding Feast DurationThere is a debate about whether the wedding celebration lasted seven or fourteen days. Shimshon’s Riddle ChallengeShimshon challenges his thirty companions with the famous riddle: Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet. Companions Fail to Solve the RiddleFor three days, the companions are unable to solve the riddle. Desperate, they pressure Shimshon’s wife to extract the answer from him, threatening to burn her and her father’s household if she refuses. Shimshon’s Wife Betrays HimShimshon’s wife, fearing for her life, pleads with Shimshon to tell her the answer. After days of her nagging, Shimshon finally reveals the solution. She immediately betrays him by telling the companions the answer. The Companions Solve the RiddleOn the seventh day, just before sunset, the companions approach Shimshon with the solution: What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? Realizing they cheated by coercing his wife, Shimshon angrily declares, Had you not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle. Wedding Feasts and TimelineRabbi Aber discusses the various interpretations of how the wedding celebrations unfolded. Some believe the riddle was proposed during the seven pre-wedding days, while others argue it was posed after the wedding. The Threat to Shimshon’s WifeThe class explores the deeper implications of the threat made to Shimshon’s wife by the Philistine companions, who were willing to burn her and her father’s house to the ground if she didn’t provide the answer. Shimshon’s SuspicionsShimshon’s cryptic accusation—Had you not plowed with my heifer—hints at a deeper suspicion of betrayal, possibly even that his wife was unfaithful to him. The Aftermath of the RiddleAfter the riddle is solved and Shimshon kills the thirty men to pay off his companions, he leaves in anger. His wife’s father, assuming the marriage is over, gives her to another man, one of Shimshon’s companions. Shimshon’s Revenge BeginsLearning of his wife’s remarriage, Shimshon’s anger reignites, leading him to take violent revenge on the Philistines, setting the stage for his ongoing battle against them. This is one of the most famous episodes in Shimshon’s story, where his unpredictable and extreme tactics instill fear in his enemies. Divine Providence in Shimshon’s ActionsThe timing of Shimshon’s return and his violent actions align with divine providence, amplifying the devastation he unleashes on the Philistines. This becomes a recurring theme as Shimshon continues his mission to confront the Philistines. 41:30 – Shimshon’s Legacy and Ongoing ConflictThe class concludes by examining the legacy of Shimshon’s actions, which initiated a long and bloody conflict with the Philistines. 00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Recap of Shimshon’s Lion Encounter 01:17 – The Wedding Feast and Companions 02:50 – Debate Over Wedding Feast Duration 05:25 – Shimshon’s Riddle Challenge 06:32 – Companions Fail to Solve the Riddle 07:04 – Shimshon’s Wife Betrays Him 07:40 – The Companions Solve the Riddle 11:45 – Wedding Feasts and Timeline 20:00 – The Threat to Shimshon’s Wife 21:34 – Shimshon’s Suspicions 25:00 – The Aftermath of the Riddle 34:28 – Shimshon’s Revenge Begins 36:00 – Divine Providence in Shimshon’s Actions 41:30 – Shimshon’s Legacy and Ongoing Conflict --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/torah-heroes/support