The Tanakh Podcast

Samson continues his lone guerilla actions against the Philistines, setting fields on fire, and killing one-thousand of the enemy armed with a mere donkey's jaw bone.  The chapter ends with the phrase: "And Samson judged Israel for twenty years" - but did he ever save Israel or shift the strategic power balance? 

Samson wants to be more Philistine than the Philistines! And when he gets angry, don't get in his way. But for Samson it is all personal. When will he "begin to save Israel"?

An angel announces Samson's birth to his mother. But Manoach, Samson's father, is skeptical.  Why do we need to hear the drama of Manoah's skepticism? What does this story teach us?

This chapter narrates a bloody civil war. Yiftach doesn't manage to defuse a personal affront in the elegant manner exercised by Gidon before him. Ethnic tension and a bruised ego lead to an inversion of one of the paradigms of the book of Shoftim, as the crossing points over the Jordan River are used not to save the Israelites, but to have brother trap and execute brother.  Yiftach has many virtues but in the final analysis, he is remembered as a Shofet who murdered not only his daughter but 42,000 Israelites.

Yoftach is the man who made a vow and sacrificed his daughter! It is ironic, because Yiftach is actually a man of words. Where did he go wrong?

In Chapter 10, we witness an intensification in Israel's sinfulness. As the generation deteriorates, we will see a corresponding decline in the leaders of Israel.

Avinelekh is the man who crowns himself as king. Buts he not a "Shofet", a saviour or "judge" whatsoever - he is a power-hungry, bloodthirsty despot, who wreaks death and destruction.

Should Gidon have accepted the offer of Kingship? The people ask him to "Reign over us! You, your son and your grandson!" Gidon refuses. On the one hand, Gidon ticks all the boxes of a successful monarch - He fights idolatry, he knows how to consult with God when he is unsure what to do, he is an accomplished warrior, he has the acumen to rebuke Tribes who don't support the war effort, but also to defuse conflict when necessary. But his escapade with gold becomes a "snare" and his many wives also lead in a negative direction.... these are areas in which a king is cautioned. Is Gidon the man who should have been king?

This chapter depicts Gideon's stunning victory over an army far larger than his own. 300 men against 135,000 men.  God insists that Gideon fight with a miniscule military force. Why? was it strategically or militarily motivated?

Would you choose a leader who doubts God? Gidon is summoned by an angel - "The Lord is with you, O Mighty Warrior!" He responds: "Yes? Is the Lord with us?" and proceeds to doubt his own worth and requests - much like Moses - a sign from the Almighty. Is self-doubt a recipe for failure, or possibly a sign of success for a Jewish leader? Music: "Smash" by Avishai Cohen