What is the meaning of "Ben Ish Chayil"?
'Rashi': (He himself was an Ish Chayil.) This is like Ben Beliya'al.
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:19, citing Brachos 18b): Also his father was a Gibor Chayil (strong and valiant); Chai teaches that he was a Tzadik, for Tzadikim are called alive even in their death.
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:19, citing Targum Yonasan): He was the son of a man who is Dachil (fears) sin.
What is "Rav Pe'alim"?
'Rashi': He did many mighty acts.
What is "Kavtze'el"?
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:20): It is a city in Yehudah (Yehoshua 15:21) "Kavtze'el v'Eder v'Yagur." Vilna Gaon ? it is in the south. It is Ir ha'Chachmah 1 .
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:20 citing Brachos 18b): He gathered people to [learn] Torah.
Rashi (Koheles 1:1): Yerushalayim is Ir ha'Chachmah. Abarvenel (Michah 6) and many agree, but in his introduction to Trei Asar, he says that it is Teko'a, for Menachos 85b says that Chachmah is found in Teko'a, and so says Maris ha'Ayin (85b).
What are "Shnei Ari'el Mo'av"?
'Rashi', Rashi (Shmuel II, 23:20) Radak, from Targum Yonasan there (Ravrevaya 1 ), Vilna Gaon, Malbim: Two Giborim of Mo'av. Ari'el is like Ari El. A lion is strong, and also El is an expression of strength ? "Eilei ha'Aretz" (Yechezkel 17:13).
Rashi (Shmuel II, 23:20, citing Brachos 18b): He did not leave someone like himself, not in the first Mikdash and not in the second. The Mikdash is called Ari'el Mo'av, for Shlomo, who comes from Rus ha'Mo'aviyah, built it. Radak ? it is called Ari'el ? "Hoy Ari'el" (Yeshayah 29:1).
Yayin ha'Tov explains this to be officers.
Why does it say "b'Yom ha'Sheleg"?
'Rashi' #1: He was not concerned for the cold.
'Rashi' #2: A lion is most dangerous on a snowy day. If a man approaches it, it kicks snow between his eyes until he cannot see, and it kills him.
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:20), Malbim: A lion is stronger on a cold, snowy day 1 .
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:20, citing Brachos 18b) #1: He broke the ice and immersed in the freezing water (Rashi 18b ? due to the decree that a Ba'al Keri must immerse before learning 2 ).
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:20, citing Brachos 18b) #2: He learned all of Sifra d'Vei Rav (Toras Kohanim; Tosfos 18b - it is the most difficult to learn) on one winter day (in the daytime; it is shorter than a summer day).
Radak: This is primary, for the verse discusses his strength, and not his learning or piety (refer to 11:22:6:4-5).
Tosfos (Bava Kama 82b): This was before Ezra's decree! Rather, it was to eat Chulin in Taharah. (Perhaps it was to eat Terumah. He was a Kohen ? below, 27:5! Perhaps Tosfos assumes that the verse praises him for a great Midas Chasidus. ? PF) Maharam Banat (18b) ? perhaps he expounded the Asmachta for Takanas Ezra.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that Benayahu killed nobles of Mo'av. He was a Kohen. How could he become Tamei?
Radak (Shmuel II, 23:20): Hashem commanded to fight the seven Kena'ani nations and others who afflict Yisrael. He did not distinguish between Kohanim and others (all are commanded). He commanded that a Kohen be Mashu'ach Milchamah and go to war together with Yisrael. Pinchas became Tamei through killing Zimri and Kozbi 1 , and went to war with Yisrael against Midyan.
Radak holds that Pinchas was a Kohen even before he killed Zimri, unlike Rashi (refer to Bamidbar 25:13:2:1). The Mashu'ach Milchamah merely speaks to the soldiers. Perhaps he must go near the battlefront, where it is known that dead soldiers are hastily buried without any marker above. (PF)
