ת"ר שלשה דברים צוה אחיתופל את בניו אל תהיו במחלוקת ואל תמרדו במלכות בית דוד ויום טוב של עצרת ברור זרעו חטים
...Our Rabbis have taught: Three things did Achitofel command his children before his passing: 1. Do not enter into quarrels. 2. Do not rebel against the sovereignty of David. 3. If the weather is clear on the holiday of Shavuot, plant wheat.
(יג) ....רבי שמעון אומר, שלשה כתרים הם, כתר תורה וכתר כהנה וכתר מלכות, וכתר שם טוב עולה על גביהן.
(13) ... Rabbi Shimon said: There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood and the crown of the monarchy - but the crown of a good name outweighs them all.
...דא"ר חמא בר' חנינא מימיהן של אבותינו לא פרשה ישיבה מהם היו במצרים ישיבה עמהם...
אמר רב קיים אברהם אבינו כל התורה כולה שנאמר (בראשית כו, ה) עקב אשר שמע אברהם בקולי וגו'
...For R' Chama said in the name of R' Chanina "From the days of our forefathers, Torah study has never ceased from the Jewish people"...Rav said "Avraham kept the entire Torah as it says...
(5) because that Abraham listened to My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.’
ב) אנכי נוטריקון אנא נפשי כתיבת יהבית
Anochi is an abrreviation of " I placed my essence into these writings (Torah)...
Let's understand:
1) The first and second pieces of advice are redundant. Surely if one avoids all quarrels, he will avoid rebellion against the kingship of David. Why would Achitofel repeat himself? And why is it considered a separate instruction from the first one?
2) Achitofel was a brilliant man, the Tanach describes his advice as being Divine. He was considered the wisest man of his time. If these are his dying words surely they must contain his greatest and most profound insights gleaned from a lifetime rich in experience. What is the significance of these three ideas that warrant the fact that they are his last charge to his children? What is their underlying unifying theme? How do these three statements sum up his life?
3) What does he mean, “If the weather on Shavous is clear, plant wheat?” Was this simple agricultural advice? If yes, what does it mean? And why did he decide to say it now moments before his death?
Three Arenas of Human Ambition
1) Knowledge, wisdom, study, academia, discovery, and information. This is called the “crown of Torah.”
2) Spirituality, service, dedication, self-improvement, refinement, personal growth, deep connection to G-d and to the higher consciousness. This is called “the crown of Priesthood,” as the priests represented service.
3) Leadership, influence, power. This is called “the crown of royalty.”
Explanation:
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