For the source text click/tap here: Yevamot 78
To download, click/tap here: PDF
Our daf looks at the prohibitions facing the Gibeonites.
It is suggested that this originates in the times of King David, where there was a three-year long famine (II Samuel 21).
David blamed the people of Israel: in the first year, for worshipping idols, in the second year, for sexual impropriety, in the third year, for promising charity publicly then giving nothing.
When no transgressors were found, David blamed himself and turned to speak with G-d through the Umim V'Tummim.
These were the stones in the breastplate of the High Priest. G-d told David that the famine was because Saul put the Gibeonites to death.
The Lord’s response is: “It is because of the bloodguilt of Saul and [his] house, for he put some Gibeonites to death.”
The Rabbis list two reasons for the famine. One was because the Israelites did not properly eulogize Saul, while the other was Saul’s killing of some Gibeonites.
As for the Gibeonites, he summoned them to effect a reconciliation. He sought to appease them, but they would not be placated until seven of Saul’s sons, including Rizpah’s two sons, were handed over to them. How did David choose them? He had Saul’s sons pass before the Ark; whoever adhered to the Ark and could not move, was chosen to die, while those who passed by it were chosen to live.
The Rabbis relate that Rizpah was not angry at God; to the contrary, she justified His actions and recited the verse (Deut. 32:4): “The Rock! His deeds are perfect, yea, all His ways are just; a faithful God, never false, true and upright is He.” For seven months Rizpah guarded the corpses—during the day from the birds of the sky, and at night, from the wild beasts.
We explore this tragic mother and how she was immortalized by Tennyson.