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By Rabbi Aron Tendler | Series: | Level:

Haftorah Shemini
 

This week’s Haftorah takes place in 2892 – 869 b.c.e. Dovid had captured the City of Dovid from the Yevussi and wished to bring the Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark) to what would become Yerushalayim. With great fanfare and celebration Dovid was bringing the Aron when Uzah ben Avinadav disgraced the Aron and died.

Reminiscent of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu at the consecration of the Mizbeach, the death of Uzah dampened the celebration and the Aron remained in the home of Oved for three months. When Dovid was informed of the tremendous blessings that had graced the home of Oved during those three months Dovid decided that it was appropriate to bring the Aron to Jerusalem.

Dovid, despite Michal’s objection (daughter of Saul and Dovid’s wife), danced and celebrated before the Aron without restraint or inhibition while bringing the Aron into the City of Dovid.

Dovid asked permission from the prophet Nassan to build the Bais Hamikdash. Nassan told him that it was G-d’s will that his son Shlomo (Solomon) not Dovid build the Bais Hamikdash. Dovid accepted G-d’s decree but spent the remainder of his life preparing the materials and the means for his son to be able to build the Bais Hamikdash.