king? - comment

Beautiful.

It is difficult to explain the beauty and richness of a relationship to G-d as a king. A king demands total nullification that does not appeal to a enlightened society that wants understanding and feeling to be the foundation of any relationship.

The analogy of a king can be appreciated only when we realize that G-d has absolutely nothing in comparison to us. Our relationship to him therefore is totally unique and is based on nullification – again a very difficult sell.

By the way I believe that there are GEDOLEI YISRAEL who explain that a monarchy is not the best system of government for the Jewish people.

I believe that the Abarbenel explains that the Jewish people's request of Shmuel to appoint a king was inherently negative, as can be seen by Shmuel’s reaction. The commandment in the Torah – according to him - is only that if the Jewish people want a king they should appoint him from amongst themselves.

This leads me to the next point. Throughout biblical history the kings were overwhelmingly corrupt and wicked. Prior to the era of the kings the Judges who led the people were all righteous. The judges were spiritual as well as political leaders – they led the people to war etc..

Perhaps the fundamental difference between the judges and the kings was that while the king had a right to tax the people for their own needs, the judges did not have any monetary gain from their position. Shmuel said to the people that he did not even take a single donkey from them.

Was this a separation of powers?