Yehoshua Eldad Meidad and Achan
AI summary (may contain mistakes)
Why did Moshe Rabbeinu's closest talmid, the one who later led the Yidden, have only daughters? Chazal say he lost the right to a son through one mistake that came from good intentions. Then comes the story of Achan, with the hidden spoils of Yericho, the defeat at Ai, the lots and Achan's admission. From it we learn about arvus and the power of teshuva.
Key points
- Chazal say the two who prophesied at home foretold Moshe dying in the midbar and his talmid leading.
- A commentary says the talmid meant well, wanting to spare Moshe Rabbeinu from feeling bad.
- The Gemara calls paskening in front of one's rebbe a death penalty from Heaven.
- The Gemara has Hashem say the cherem on Yericho's spoils was the talmid's own idea.
- Chazal give Achan a chelek in Gan Eden because he admitted instead of letting a battle start.
