Words From Rabbi White

As I am sure you know, in the last several years, schools have been very sensitive to bullying. For example, teachers are given seminars on how to detect bullying, and how to be careful not to be guilty of bullying their students.

Today’s haftara, taken from the Book Shoftim (Judges) tells the story of Jephthah (Yiftah in Hebrew.).  He was a “gibbor hayyil,” (an “able warrior.”) His step brothers drove him out of the house, taunting him that “you are the son of another woman.” He moved to another area, and the Bible tells us that “men of low character gathered around him, and went out raiding with him.” In other words, it seems like he became the leader of a gang.

He was obviously a tough and clever guy, but we see that even tough guys can be bullied: if not physically, then mentally.

Some time later, the Ammonites (modern day Jordan) attacked the Gilead area of Israel. [The situation hasn’t changed in 3000 years:  Israel surrounded by enemies!] The Gileadites came to Jephthah and asked him to be their commander in the fight against Ammon.

At first, he tried negotiation with the King of Ammon. But when he realized that the king paid no heed to his attempt, Jephthah made a vow to God, and promised the if he defeats the enemy, then “whatever” comes out of his house to greet him will be offered as a sacrifice to the Lord.

He probably was expecting to see an animal [remember Odysseus’ dog Argos in Odyssey Book 17?] But who comes out?  his daughter!

Traditional Jewish interpretation understands the verses to mean that he didn’t actually sacrifice his daughter, but rather she was forced to live a reclusive celibate life in the mountains. Even according to this more moderate interpretation, Jephthah certainly doesn’t come across as a “mentch.” And I wonder: perhaps his having been bullied in his youth helped to shape his rough personality.

It is also interesting that Hazal pointed out he could have annulled his vow.  But he was too arrogant to go to the leading sage, Pinchas, to do that. [And Pinchas also had a certain hubris that made him feel that he would not go to Jephthah: let Jephthah come to me!  So the daughter pays the price!!

Shabbat shalom