Notable Sources
All Sources
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The Spies and RahabTANAKH
The Spies and Rahab
TANAKH
The initial espionage mission led by Joshua reveals the covert and strategic aspects of the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land. The Book of Joshua recounts how two spies were sent to Jericho, their encounter with Rahab, and the subsequent events that set the stage for the fall of the city's walls.
War and the SabbathHALAKHAH
War and the Sabbath
HALAKHAH
Waging war, even on the Sabbath, is sometimes necessary to ensure communal safety and fulfill obligations. In his famed 12th-century code of Jewish law, Mishneh Torah, Maimonides discusses the laws of warfare, including the permissibility of waging war on the Sabbath.
Rahav's Role in JerichoCOMMENTARY
Rahav's Role in Jericho
COMMENTARY
The story of Rahav adds emotional depth and humanity to the narrative, highlighting the fear of the citizens and the divine intervention. The Book of Joshua recounts Rahav's aid to Israelite spies, emphasizing themes of faith and divine intervention.
Joshua's Mysterious EncounterCOMMENTARY
Joshua's Mysterious Encounter
COMMENTARY
Joshua's encounter with an unfamiliar man bearing a sword highlights the strategic and solitary nature of his actions near Jericho and his immediate concern about the man's allegiance. The Book of Joshua describes this pivotal moment before the Israelites' entrance into the Promised Land.
Achan's Sin and the Spoils of AiTALMUD
Achan's Sin and the Spoils of Ai
TALMUD
Joshua's decision to dedicate all the spoils to the Tabernacle treasury was a mistake that led to the sin of Achan. The Talmud in Tractate Sanhedrin discusses how God corrected Joshua by instructing him to allow the people to keep the spoils from Ai.
The Binding Power of an OathRESPONSA
The Binding Power of an Oath
RESPONSA
The Israelites upheld their oath to Rahab and her family, even though they were commanded to destroy all inhabitants of Jericho. In his 18th-century responsa, Teshuva MeAhava, Rabbi Elazar Fleckeles discusses the binding nature of oaths, using the biblical story of Jericho as a key example.
The Prohibition Against Rebuilding JerichoMIDRASH
The Prohibition Against Rebuilding Jericho
MIDRASH
The prohibition against rebuilding Jericho serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and dedication to God. The Sifrei, a halachic midrash on Deuteronomy, discusses the eternal desolation of Jericho as a reflection of the severity of idolatry and communal responsibility in Jewish law.
The Fall of JerichoTANAKH
The Fall of Jericho
TANAKH
The immediate and direct physical action of the troops in capturing Jericho, culminating in the miraculous collapse of its walls, showcases the power of divine intervention and obedience to God. The Book of Joshua recounts the Israelites' conquest of Jericho, where the walls fell after the troops shouted in response to the sound of the horns, demonstrating a divine miracle.
The True Significance of Jericho's WallsCOMMENTARY
The True Significance of Jericho's Walls
COMMENTARY
The walls of Jericho, often seen as a symbol of strength, were actually a sign of the city's fear and weakness towards the Israelites. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his insightful essays, explores the deeper meanings behind the biblical narratives, including the story of Jericho from the Book of Joshua.
The Miraculous Collapse of Jericho's WallsTALMUD
The Miraculous Collapse of Jericho's Walls
TALMUD
The miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls was a divine intervention, not a result of human action. The Talmud explains that the walls of Jericho were swallowed into the ground due to their unique dimensions.
The Destruction and Mercy at JerichoSECOND TEMPLE
The Destruction and Mercy at Jericho
SECOND TEMPLE
The fall of Jericho is marked by its total destruction, yet it also highlights the sparing of Rahab and her family for aiding the Israelite spies. Josephus, in his first-century work, recounts the biblical story of Jericho’s fall, emphasizing both the city's annihilation and the reward given to Rahab.
Revealing Divine Light in JerichoHALAKHAH
Revealing Divine Light in Jericho
HALAKHAH
The conquest of Jericho is not just a military victory but a profound spiritual event revealing divine light. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary work explores the kabbalistic interpretation of the fall of Jericho’s walls as a barrier to divine illumination.
The Divine Power Behind Jericho's FallCOMMENTARY
The Divine Power Behind Jericho's Fall
COMMENTARY
The number seven in the Conquest of Jericho symbolizes divine intervention and the idea that victory was achieved through God's power, not military might. Radak, a renowned 12th-century biblical commentator, explains the significance of the number seven in the ritual of encircling Jericho and blowing the shofars.
Jericho's Divine ObedienceMIDRASH
Jericho's Divine Obedience
MIDRASH
The fall of Jericho is a pivotal moment in Jewish history, demonstrating the importance of obedience to divine commands and the severe consequences of disobedience. The medieval midrashic text Sefer HaYashar provides a detailed account of the fall of Jericho, including God's specific instructions to Joshua and the sin of Achan.
Rahab's Loyalty and ProtectionCOMMENTARY
Rahab's Loyalty and Protection
COMMENTARY
Rahab's loyalty and faithfulness to the Israelite spies ensured her family's safety during the fall of Jericho. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging account of this narrative, connecting readers directly to the plain meaning of the text.
