Just an random tidbit I came across yesterday, which I decided to share in honor of Bibi Netanyahu's 64th birthday.In the 12th Perek of Zecharya, there's a prophecy about "the end of days", which includes the description of a funeral (of Mashiach ben Yosef, according to tradition). At the funeral (which is described, several times, as being gender-separated) representatives of Israel's leadership will deliver eulogies. The list of dignitaries includes the house of King David and the Levitical caste.
Besides these well-known dynasties, two families are mentioned by name. According to some commentators (such as Radak and Metzudat David - מצודת דוד), these families will exist and be well-known when the prophecy is fulfilled, and were not necessarily famous back then. One of them is בית נתן - the house of Nathan.
Of course, we don't know who the house of Nathan is. Is it possible that the Netanyahu family (whose name is based on the Hebrew version of Nathan, and whose patriarch was named Nathan) is the one referred to 2500 years ago? Anything's possible. Only time will tell.
In the meantime, happy birthday, Mr. Prime Minister!
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The other family mentioned is the house of Shim'i. I have no idea who that could be. While you're pondering it, enjoy a picture of our president blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.
Don't know about Natan family and are you referring to Moshiach Ben Yosef? Anyway, we do know that our sages (chazal) say that at keitz hayamim, when we will be restored to Israel, the leadership will be almost completely made up of the Erev Rav and that is why we have those that are bordering on treason at the helm. As far as the 'pres. of Israel', give us a break - armilus makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteI added the part about Peres as a joke. First of all, his first name, not his last name, is Shimon. Second, AFAIK the name "Shimi'i", while similar to "Shimon", seems to be a distinct name in Tanach.
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