I've been learning about the story of Achan for a few weeks now. Every time I think I've understood it, I find something new. But now it's time to write about it. As always, your feedback and support is always really helpful and appreciated.

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I will first give an overview of the perek, with some interspersed commentary and then go into the deeper and wider background.

As discussed in the previous post,

Yehoshua imposed a strict ban, punishable by death, against keeping personal spoils from Yericho. Once this was decreed by Yehoshua, it was accepted as the din by Hashem. However, Achan, an unethical individual, defied this by taking from the spoils, a fact unknown to all but Hashem. Hashem, angered by this act, chose to use it as a lesson for Bnei Yisrael, withdrawing His divine protection from them.

One might question why the entire nation was held accountable for the misdeed of a single Jew. To understand this, we must rewind back to Chapter 4 and recall that as the Jewish people crossed…

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We previously examined the strategic and miraculous downfall of Yericho, involving Bnei Yisrael encircling the city for six days, followed by the collapse of its walls on the seventh day after a collective shout and the sound of the Shofar. The significance of the number seven, the roles of the Chalutz and M’Asaf, and the combination of symbolic and practical actions commanded by Hashem were explored. This post will delve into the aftermath, including the ban on looting and rebuilding Yericho, and the fate of Rachav, offering further insights into the broader implications of these events.

The Cherem

Yehoshua gave strict instructions to the people when they surrounded Yericho. He warned them that under penalty of death, they must not take any of Yericho's property for themselves. Instead, all of it should be dedicated to Hashem. The only exception was Rachav and her family, who were to be spared because she had hidden the spies. Yehoshua made it clear that all that was worthy of being de…

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Due to fear of an impending attack by Bnei Yisrael, Yericho was hermetically sealed, with seven layers of walled protection as well as magical protection. No one could go in or out. It was also filled with warriors from the surrounding nations who were prepared to fight.

Against this backdrop, Hashem said to Yehoshua, I will hand Yericho to you. Meaning the city, the king and the army will all fall, including the warriors of all the surrounding nations who gathered in Yericho to fight Bnei Yisrael. This would be the first of ten cities which Yehoshua would capture in Canaan.

Hashem then outlined to Yehoshua a 5 phase plan as to how this would happen.

1. All those of military age (אנשי המלחמה), between 20 and 60, where to surround the city of Yericho, they were not just to stand in one place, but to walk around the city. This should be done for six days.

2. The Kohanim who were carrying the Aron were also to walk around the city. 7 Kohanim - each carrying a Shofar were to walk in front of the Ar…

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On the 22nd of Nissan, after Bnei Yisrael celebrated Pesach, they journeyed from Gilgal to the outskirts of Yericho1. Yericho was the first city captured by Bnei Yisrael. As noted earlier by the Ramdu, this city was considered the homebase for the forces of evil in the world. As Yehoshua stood outside the city, possibly contemplating his strategy for its capture2, he experienced a prophetic vision3. In this vision, he encountered an angel who appeared as a warrior with a drawn sword. Apprehensive, Yehoshua inquired whether the angel had come to aid them or their enemies. The angel responded, clarifying its purpose: “I am neither friend nor foe, as you suspect. Rather, I am sent by God, the Leader of all wars.” It is indeed an angel of Hashem that had arrived to assist Yehoshua, as divine intervention was crucial for conquering the heavily fortified city of Yericho.

Chazal comment4 that this angel was already sent to Moshe to help Bnei Yisrael on their journey from Mitzrayim to Eretz Yisra…

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After crossing the Yarden, Hashem told Yehoshua to create knives from stone -חרבות צרים and use them to circumcise the Bnei Yisrael a second time. Yehoshua did so and the mass bris mila took place at Givat HaOrlot, or foreskin hill.

The Navi continues and explains why the bris mila was done now. Everyone who left Mitzrayim was circumcised, however they all died in the desert, as a punishment. The generation that was born in the desert, who were now entering Eretz Yisrael, did not have a bris mila yet. They needed a mila in order to participate in the Korban Pesach which was just a few days after they crossed the Yarden. They crossed the Yarden on the tenth of Nissan and performed the Mila on the eleventh, leaving 3 days for recovery before the Korban Pesach on the 14th.

After the circumcision of the whole nation was completed, they remained where they were, in the camp, until they recovered.

After the mila, Hashem told Yehoshua: “Today I have rolle…

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Witnessing the profound miracles that unfolded for the Jewish people at the Yarden, the regional monarchs, ranging from the Amorites near the Yarden to the Canaanites by the Mediterranean, were struck with a profound sense of powerlessness against Am Yisrael.

ויהי כשמע כל־מלכי האמרי אשר בעבר הירדן ימה וכל־מלכי הכנעני אשר על־הים את אשר־הוביש יהוה את־מי הירדן מפני בני־ישראל עד־[עברם] (עברנו) וימס לבבם ולא־היה בם עוד רוח מפני בני ישראל

The Malbim explains that this pasuk provides a foundational context for the rest of the perek. It details the pivotal events of the Bnei Yisrael: the Mila at Gilgal, the Korban Pesach, and Yehoshua’s encounter with an angel outside Yericho. These events, unfolding over several days, did not weaken the military edge of Bnei Yisrael, as fear had deeply embedded itself in the hearts of their new neighbors.

Building upon this pshat, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky broadens this idea. He suggests that this pasuk serves as a foundational element not just for this perek, but …

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The fourth perek of Sefer Yehoshua was a bit difficult for me to understand. I have learned and reviewed it a number of times, so I'll explain it as I've come to understand it, although not necessarily in the order of the pesukim.

After the entire nation had completed crossing the Yarden, the men of the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and Menashe crossed over -- armed, alongside the rest of Bnei Yisrael. Approximately forty thousand warriors went across to the plains of Yericho for battle, as Hashem commanded.

What comes next? 

Hashem instructs Yehoshua to select twelve individuals, one from each shevet. These were prominent members of each shevet. They were the same men Yehoshua had previously selected, as described in the previous perek. Rashi and Radak1 note they were designated to remain in the Yarden with Yehoshua and not accompany the rest of the people. Conversely, Abarbanel understands that these twelve men crossed over and then returned to the middle of the Yarden.

What does Hashem instruc…

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After assigning the respective roles to the Kohanim and Leviim concerning the transport of the Aron, the shotrim further instructed the Bnei Yisrael to keep a distance of approximately 2000 Amos from the Aron.1

As previously discussed, proximity to the Aron can be more detrimental than beneficial. Yet, maintaining excessive distance was also not advisable. Therefore, the directive was to remain approximately 2000 Amos distant.

When one is deeply immersed in an experience, its profound significance might elude them. It is only upon stepping back that one can fully comprehend and appreciate its importance. This rationale underpinned the necessity for a spatial separation between the Aron and the people.2

Upon concluding their technical directives, the Shotrim gave way to Yehoshua, who transitioned to more spiritual guidance.

Yehoshua then told the people to prepare for the next day, this may mean physically3 or spiritually4. He then instructed the Kohanim to begin carrying the Aron ahead of…

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After Yehoshua and the Bnei Yisrael reached the banks of the Yarden, the Shotrim issued an essential directive to the people: "When you observe the Aron Habris carried by the Kohanim [and] Leviim, follow it. Yet, ensure you maintain a distance of approximately two thousand Amos from it. This distance ensures you'll know which path to take, especially since this is a road you have never embarked upon before.”

This marked a remarkable shift in navigation for the Jewish people. Up until this point, during Moshe's leadership, their journey was led by the Amud HaAnan. It was followed by two degalim, then the Aron, and subsequently the remaining two degalim.1 However, with Moshe's passing and the disappearance of the Amud HaAnan, our journey towards Eretz Yisrael shifted to being guided solely by the Aron, while the nation was instructed to keep a safe distance.

It's essential to note that at this point, the people have yet to embark on their journey. They've merely been provided with instruc…

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After Kalev and Pinchas returned from their mission to Yericho, the navi relates that Yehoshua was filled with enthusiasm for his mission to enter Eretz Yisrael, aiming to bring a tikkun to the world. Rising early the next morning, he journeyed from Shitim to the banks of the Jordan River, leading the Bnei Yisrael. Yet, they didn't proceed to cross immediately; they opted to spend the night by its banks.

וישכם יהושע בבקר ויסעו מהשטים ויבאו עד־הירדן הוא וכל־בני ישראל וילנו שם טרם יעברו

The pasuk interestingly describes their departure from Shitim with an added letter: "השטים", or "The Shitim". The Mishbetzos Zahav explains that to truly enter Eretz Yisrael, Bnei Yisrael had to leave behind all that Shitim symbolized. It was in Shitim where the incident with the Bnos Moav occurred. By leaving "The Shitim," they were purifying themselves, shedding the past, and preparing to step into Eretz Yisrael with renewed kedusha.

Additionally, the Gra1 teaches that thi…

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Yehoshua sent Kalev and Pinchas to Yericho to scout the land. The Navi tells us that they ended up at the house of a woman named Rachav, who wasn't just any woman - she was known to many. As the night grew darker, whispers spread through the town. The king of Yericho got wind of their visit. “There are spies in town!” he exclaimed. “Find them!”

Rachav, however, was quick-witted. She hid the two men on her rooftop, under some dried flax. When the king's guards knocked on her door, she played innocent. “Yes, they were here, but they left at sunset. Hurry, you might catch them if you run!” she said, pointing them in the wrong direction.

The guards believed her and dashed off, leaving the town gates behind them. Rachav climbed to her rooftop and spoke to the hidden men. “I've heard stories about you,” she whispered. “About the miracles and your powerful God. Everyone here is scared of you. Promise me something: when you come back to conquer this land, keep my family safe.”

The spies nodded, …

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In preparation for the conquest of Canaan, Yehoshua dispatched two spies, Kalev and Pinchas, to scout the land. The pasuk states:

וישלח יהושע־בן־נון מן־השטים שנים־אנשים מרגלים חרש לאמר לכו ראו את־הארץ ואת־יריחו וילכו ויבאו בית־אשה זונה ושמה רחב וישכבו־שמה

Yehoshua ben Nun secretly sent two men from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, reconnoiter the region of Yericho.”

This action seems a bit shocking given Moshe's prior experience, where he sent 12 spies to Canaan, leading to disastrous consequences. Why did Yehoshua feel it appropriate to deploy spies now? And why the emphasis on Yericho?

The Malbim points out five distinctions between Yehoshua's and Moshe's spies:

1. Moshe's spies were sent due to the demands of the people, and their pessimistic feedback was accepted by the masses. Yehoshua, however, acted independently without being swayed by public opinion.

2. Moshe dispatched spies from Paran, which was far from Canaan, leading to doubts about invasion. Yehosh…

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As mentioned yesterday:

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The outbreak of the war on Simchas Torah inspired me to begin learning Nach and I've decided to share my reflections on it.

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Sefer Yehoshua starts with Hashem instructing Yehoshua to lead the Jewish people into the land of Israel. Hashem conveys three significant messages to him:

1. The Jewish people will inherit every place they set foot. Their territory will extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the Euphrates in the east, covering the entire Hittite region, and reaching to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
   

2. No enemy will stand against Yehoshua throughout his life. Just as Hashem was with Moshe, He assures Yehoshua of His unwavering support, promising never to leave him.
   

3. Yehoshua is encouraged to firmly uphold all teachings Moshe shared. He's warned to remain true to these teachings, continuously reciting and reflecting on them. Only by doing so will he achieve success. Hashem emphasizes the need for courage and resilience, urging Yehoshua not to fear, and reminding him of His eternal pr…

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