Course Description
As we revisit the end of initial settlement and conquest of the Land of Israel, we will focus on the anarchy that ensues following the death of Yehoshua. National disunity and infiltration of foreign influences lead to a lack of proper leadership, and tribal polarization to the waning of strong political and military success. Instead, parochial leaders arise, achieving ephemeral successes and lack of centralized government. We will focus on these leaders as microcosmic expressions of the entire people and generation. We will “judge” the military and religious “judges” through the eyes of the prophet, as we employ classical and modern exegesis to better understand the religious messages of proper leadership and justice for Am Yisrael.
