Shmuel Alef 3

לעילוי נשמות אמתינו היקרות Esther Oppenheimer and Sarah Shenker עליהן השלום, each deeply devoted and proud to transmit their families’ Torah legacy to the next generations. From their children, Nina and Chaim Shenker

Go Back to Sleep!

One night, G-d called to Shmuel. Shmuel wasn't training to be a prophet, so he didn't know what he was hearing. He assumed it was Eli calling him. Eli said, "I didn't call you" and sent Shmuel back to bed. G-d called a second time; once again, Shmuel ran to Eli, who again dismissed him. The third time this happened, Eli realized what was going on and he instructed Shmuel how to answer.

G-d told Shmuel that He was going to fulfill the curse against Eli's family. Shmuel was hesitant to tell this to Eli, but Eli said, "So may G-d do to you if you withhold any detail from me," so Shmuel felt compelled to tell him all. To his credit, Eli accepted G-d's judgment as just. Meanwhile, Shmuel acquired his reputation as a prophet.

Author: Rabbi Jack Abramowitz