Verse
Nu21-27b Nu21-27c
discussing
Joshua's seeking advice from Elazar using Urim and Tumim
states
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest,
who shall ask for him according to the
judgment of Urim before the Lord; at his word shall they go out,
and at his word they shall come in, both he,
and all the people of Israel with him, all the congregation
Rashi notes
that
the underlined words,
ask for him ... urim
references
verses
1S30-07:08 and Ex28-06:30
discussing
an inquiry by David thru the Urim whether a military maneuver will be successful
Hence the Rashi comment
Joshua shall ask [from the Urim by Elazar] when Joshua wishes to go to war
Text of Target Verse Nu21-27b
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Text of Reference Verse 1S30-07:08, Ex28-06:30
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And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest,
who shall ask for him according to the
judgment of Urim before the Lord; at his word shall they go out,
and at his word they shall come in, both he,
and all the people of Israel with him, all the congregation
.
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they shall make the ephod of gold, ....
And you shall make the breastplate of judgment with skilful work;
after the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold,...
.... And they shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, ....
And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment, the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord; ...
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Rashi comments:
Joshua shall ask [from the Urim by Elazar] when Joshua wishes to go to war
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Advanced Rashi: Note that we could have equally brought other verses
for reference: For example, Ju20-27:28 also gives an example of inquiry
thru the Urim about the propriety of a military action.
Also note that this refernce example is complex in that the reference is sequential:
- Nu21-27 speaks about asking from the Urim
- Ex28-06:30 explains how the urim are on the breastplate and
- The breastplate is connected by a cord to the
- Ephod garment
- And that is exactly what David inquires from in 1S30-07:08 from the Ephod.
Finally I note the oddity that many history, military and political books seem to have overlooked the importance
of organized religion in general and the priests in particular in determining and even allowing military action.
There are many examples. We find in the Talmud / Midrash
for example that a priest stopped Alexander the Great from attacking. Similarly the holiday of
Chanukah is a holiday about Priestly military activities. The Bible relates that a prophet stopped
a civil war when the monarchy split in two after Solomon's death. Military records show that many
generals, even those from non religious nations, have sought religious confirmation of their planned activities.
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