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Parshat Haye Sarah
What prompted Adonijah's sense of self importance? Rabbi David Kimche attributes it to his good looks which gave him a sense of superiority over his brothers and somehow shielded him from his father's criticism as well. This attitude led him to assume that he was the only suitable candidate for the crown. His father's deteriorating strength and his overwrought sense of self importance strengthened the immediacy of this imperative for him. In their quest for deeper meaning in biblical stories, the rabbis were always on the lookout for seemingly superfluous expressions which might lend a clue to the significance of the events of the story. The word "mitnasei", which can also mean "lift up", lent itself to this role and a story developed around it. Rav Judah said in the name of Rav: There is a tradition regarding the house of David that the king's crown will only fit on the head of someone who is suitable to be king. [It is written], "Then Adonijah the son of Haggith thought highly of himself (mitnasei), boasting, I will be king." Rav Judah said in the name of Rav: He 'lifted up' the crown trying to get it to fit his head, but it did not fit him. (adapted from Avodah Zarah 44a) Rashi records a tradition that the crown was crafted to fit the unique shape of King David's head. Only those with a similar shape were deemed eligible to be king. Rabbi Zadok Hacohen of Lublin (19th-20th century Poland) asserted that it was Adonijah's very self importance which made him ineligible for the kingship. (Pri HaTzadik Parshat Hayei Sarah). In an anecdotal way, this explains the significance of the story from the Talmud. What is it that kept David's crown from fitting on Adonijah's head? Perhaps it was the fact that he had a "swelled head"? The rejection of Adonijah, then, is meant as a lesson in the importance of humility for those who aspire to leadership.
The United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem offers students of all backgrounds the skills for studying Jewish texts. We are a vibrant, open-minded egalitarian community of committed Jews who learn, practise and grow together. Our goal is to provide students the ability and desire to continue Jewish learning and practice throughout their lives. Rashei Yeshiva: Rabbi Richard Lewis, Rabbi Joel Roth and Rabbi Pesach Schindler.
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