The reward for community service

Hi,

"Rabbi Shimon ben  Lakish taught: Shaul merited to take the throne only because his grandfather lit lamps for the community.

"Thus he was named Ner [lamp] – Divrei haYamim I 8:33 says, "Ner fathered Kish", but Shemuel I 9:1 says "Kish the son of Aviel" – Shaul's grandfather's name was Aviel, but because he lit lamps for the community, he was also called Ner."

(Talmud Yerushalmi Sheviit 3:7)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Mocking King Saul

Hi,

"'Saul was one year in his reign (Samuel I 13:1)' Rav Huna said: Like a one-year-old, not having tasted sin.

"Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak asked: Perhaps he was as a one-year-old who is dirtied with clay and filth?

They showed Rav Nachman a frightening vision in his dream. He declared, 'I am humbled before you, bones of Saul ben Kish!' They again showed him a frightening vision in his dream. He declared, 'I am humbled before you, bones of Saul ben Kish, King of Israel!'"

בן שנה שאול במלכו. אמר רב הונא: כבן שנה, שלא טעם טעם חטא. מתקיף לה רב נחמן בר יצחק: ואימא כבן שנה שמלוכלך בטיט ובצואה? אחויאו ליה לרב נחמן סיוטא בחלמיה. אמר: נעניתי לכם עצמות שאול בן קיש. הדר חזא סיוטא בחלמיה. אמר: נעניתי לכם עצמות שאול בן קיש מלך ישראל. 

(Talmud, Yoma 22b)

Have a great day,

Mordechai