While perusing over the notes of this past week, I had an interesting thought. We contrasted the different philosophies of the Neheneh, Amal, and Yirai Elokim, and looked into the specific distinction between each. I focused on the differences between the role of the king in each philosophy. The Nehenah, predictably, believes that it is the job of the king to live a party lifestyle while knowing there is someone above him. The Amal thinks that it is the job of the king to make sure society is just. The Yirai Elokim belives that it is the job of the king to be an Eved of Hashem and lead the people in the ways of God, in a master-servant kind of relationship. Now, as we all know, a servant is a very different position that a king. Does this seem demeaning to the king? He is in a high level position, and yet he is no better than a lowly servant. What level are his subjects on, then? What is lower than a servant?
This title of Eved is not a new one in the Torah. We see that G-d compared Moshe to an "Eved Hashem," and that this title was nothing to scoff at. According to some commentators, "Eved Hashem" is the highest ranking a Jew can recieve, because they are at the utmost capacity to follow His will. Not many people ever receive the title of an Eved to G-d. In fact, it is a very hard title to recieve. Moshe was one of the most righteous people to ever live. So, it can be surmised that this title of "Eved" to G-d is really a great compliment, one that could perhaps mean an incredibly righteous person such as Moshe. With this perspective, it is reasonable to say that having this title of Eved bestowed upon a king is not degrading, but rather a great compliment,if not one of the greatest.
I guess a person wouldn't see the word eved as being something good. It makes you seem like you're lower and less than everyone around you. Maybe adding the word "Elokim" just adds a level of greatness to it. When a person is an eved it usually means slave or servant, which is one of the lowest classes and positions out there. When it becomes "eved Elokim" it becomes something of much greatness really showing the power and level of G-d.
ReplyDeleteEmma, I find this very interesting. I was also bothered by the idea of the king being as lowly as a servant. However, as you already pointed out, being called a servant of G-d is a huge compliment. One alternative explanation is this: serving G-d removes all social ranks from the equation. Yes, the king is the political and spiritual leader of the Jewish people. However, when it comes to the service of G-d, even pious commoners can be considered greater than the king. I see this new role of the king as an equalizer that will help the king properly do his job. Being on the same spiritual level as his people removes haughtiness. Maybe this whole excerpt as Shlomo writing about the attitude he wished he had. A lot less haughtiness might have saved him in the end. Alas, this is not what happened.
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