Transcription
Micha Introduction Typed Shiur.
Micha is the 6th Navi of the Trey Asar Prophets.
Micha HaMorashti was from the tribe of Yehudah. Micha was contemporaries with the great prophets Hoshea, Amos and Yeshaya. And therefore, is similar in style and content to them and in specific the most similar to Yeshaya. Micha was also younger than Hoshea, Amos and Yeshaya and therefore outlived them. Mikros Gedolos Introduction brings Micha’s Rebbe was Eliyahu HaNavi and he also learnt from Yeshaya HaNavi.
Micha prophesied during the reigns of Chizkiya, Achaz and Yosam who were all kings of Yehudah.
Rambam introduction to the Yad brings Micha as one of the perpetuators of the Torah Mesorah. Micha received the Torah from Yeshaya and his court and tranmistted the Torah tradition to the next generation.
Micha was also the first prophet to prophesy about Destruction of Yerushalyim.
Much like Yeshaya, Micha was dissatisfied about the false and corrupt leaders of his generation. The leaders had been self-serving, pursuing their own honor, wealth, and the need to satisfy their immoral desires.
This is what is explained when Esav had met his brother Yaakov for a final show down. “Yesh Li Rav – I have a lot” referring to Esav’s own material wealth. The Lekutay Maharan explains: this can be read as Esav was saying “Yesh Li Rav – I have a Rav – meaning I have a Rabbi!” As false leaders have been a problem in Klal Yisrael from day one. There is nothing new under the sun.
In contrast the false leaders of his time, Micha was True Tzaddik H’emes and leader of the generation. Makos 24A brings how his words effected the entire generation. R. Simlai taught: Moshe w2as given 613 Mitzvos on Har Sinai… Dovid condensed them into 11 Mitzvos… Came Micha and condensed them into 3 Mitvos! As its says in Micha 6:8 הִגִּ֥יד לְךָ֛ אָדָ֖ם מַה־טּ֑וֹב וּמָֽה־יְהוָ֞ה דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ מִמְּךָ֗ כִּ֣י אִם־עֲשׂ֤וֹת מִשְׁפָּט֙ וְאַ֣הֲבַת חֶ֔סֶד וְהַצְנֵ֥עַ לֶ֖כֶת עִם־אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
“Mortal! He told you what is good and what God demands of you – nothing more than to act justly, love kindness, and walk modestly with your God.”
We see from here how respected and revered Micha’s word was in his generation that he was able to further quantify the entire Torah into 3 Mitzvos! Drashas HaRan from Rabbenu Nissim points out based on this Gemarah, we see it’s the role of the true Tzaddikim in every generation to point out which Mitsvos are the most essential for that time period and need to be emphasized more. As the Gemarah goes in to explain how Chabakuk further narrowed down the Torah to 1 Mitzvah of “Tzaddik BeMunascha Yichyeh” the Tzaddik with Emunah who brings life.
Micha’s name comes from one of the more famous Pesukim in Micha 7:18:
מִי־אֵ֣ל כָּמ֗וֹךָ נֹשֵׂ֤א עָוֺן֙ וְעֹבֵ֣ר עַל־פֶּ֔שַׁע לִשְׁאֵרִ֖ית נַחֲלָת֑וֹ לֹא־הֶחֱזִ֤יק לָעַד֙ אַפּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־חָפֵ֥ץ חֶ֖סֶד הֽוּא
“Who, God, is like You, forgiving iniquity and overlooking transgression for the remnant of His heritage? He does not remain angry forever, because He is the lover of kindness.” Micha’s role as a prophet was to admonish the generation but also to give them hope that they can do Teshuvah no matter have done in their life. Because God doesn’t remain angry forever.
Micha also prophesies about the great process of redemption and times of Mashiach. When Jews from around the world will return to Eretz Yisrael. When Hashem will bring back His lost sheep from exile. when the nations of the world will gather around Har Habayis, Temple mount and proclaim Eretz Yisrael is the land of Jewish people and Hashem. When we will walk in the ways of God. When the light of Torah will shine forth from Tzion and all war will end. When, Mashaich will lead Am Yisrael to defeat their enemies in war. And the entire world will become purified and raised to higher levels of consciousness, God Mind. And show how the world really works. With the ultimate rebuilding of the 3rd Beis Hamikdash on Har Habayis with the revelation of Mashiach ben Dovid.
We will be starting the first perek in the next Shiur.
Thank you for listening…