David's Census

Found 8 Search results

  1. The Sin Involving the Census

    Chapter 24 (I)

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    The final chapter in Sefer Shmuel discusses David's sin in counting the people. Why was taking a census such a severe sin? Why did David fail? How did he react after the sin, and how does his reaction characterize his leadership?

  2. The Punishment

    Chapter 24 (II)

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    After David admits his sin, he is asked to select one of three punishments. Did David choose the correct punishment? Why did the plague not end after three days?

  3. The Census and the Plague

    Rabbi Yaakov Medan

    This article discusses the role of the half-shekel as an atonement for the census taken of Am Yisrael. We also explore the story of the census and its subsequent plague during the time of King David, whereby Chazal say that the plague broke out as a punishment for the people's failure to demand that the Temple be built. Examining this event as well as Haman's decree threatening Israel's annihilation during the time of Achashverosh can shed light on the purpose of the half-shekel as a reminder to God of the silver sockets in the wall of the Temple, therefore providing atonement for their sins. 

  4. Tanakh Profiles - David

    Rabbi Jonathan Mishkin

  5. Tehilim 30 - A Song of Thanks

    Structure and Meaning

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | | 56 minutes

    In this class we will unveil the message of this psalm by understanding its structure and literary devices, including allusions to several well-known Biblical narratives about David. 

     

  6. Shekalim - Counting Money

    HaTanakh.com Staff

  7. Erev Shabbat Parshat Ki Tisa - A Census Prohibition

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 14 minutes

    Parashat Ki Tisa has an unusual set of te’amim (cantillation notes) at the beginning of the instructions relating to conducting a census of Bnei Yisrael. We look at the meaning of the Divine command and prohibition, and ask why King David mistakenly thought he could conduct a census without penalty.

  8. The Half-Shekel

    Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

    Parshat Ki-Tisa opens with the subject of the half-shekel. What are Bnei Yisrael being commanded to do here? What is the purpose of giving a half-shekel? Clearly, the issue of counting is central to this unit. But is there actually a command to hold a census? Through an analysis of the various reasons for conducting a census, we can understand that it must be conducted along with an offering to God, reminding us that it is God Who made us numerous, Who gave us the power to succeed. In Parshat Ki-Tisa, among all the commands concerning the building of the Mishkan, God commands us to number the people by means of giving an offering to God, in order to remind us – specifically during the census – the place of the Divine Presence amongst Israel, the dependence upon God, the need to turn to Him.