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Notable Sources
All Sources
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The Identification of Achan
TANAKH
The detailed process of identifying Achan highlights the seriousness of breaking the covenant of God and the meticulous steps taken to ensure justice. The book of Joshua recounts the methodical selection process by tribe, clan, and family, leading to Achan's confession and punishment.
The Weight of Secret Sins
TALMUD
The Israelites were held accountable for secret transgressions after crossing the Jordan, highlighting the community's acceptance of divine punishment for such matters. The Jerusalem Talmud discusses the significance of Achan's sin and the broader implications of secret violations within the Israelite community.
Shared Burdens in Community
CHASIDUT
The sin of one individual can implicate the entire community, emphasizing the principle that all of Israel are responsible for one another. Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica, in his Chasidic work Mei HaShiloach, explores the story of Achan to illustrate the communal responsibility and interconnectedness of the Jewish people.
Confession and the World-to-Come
MISHNAH
Confession and repentance before execution can secure a portion in the world to come, as demonstrated by the case of Achan. The Mishnah, a key Jewish legal text from around 200 CE, discusses the procedures for capital punishment, emphasizing the importance of confession and atonement.
Achan's Redemption
MIDRASH
Achan, despite his sin, has a portion in the world to come because he confessed before God. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a work of midrash, recounts Achan’s sin and his ultimate atonement through confession.
The Ripple Effect of Personal Sins
MUSAR
Reflecting on one's own sins and returning to God is crucial, especially in times of trouble, as individual actions can cause widespread suffering. The 15th-century ethical work Orchot Tzadikim uses the story of Achan from the book of Joshua to illustrate the far-reaching consequences of personal sins and the importance of repentance.
The Valley of Taint
COMMENTARY
The establishment of a memorial mound over Achan's corpse serves as a lasting reminder of his transgression and its consequences. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible explains the reason behind the name of the location in which this mound stood.
The Fear That Led to Defeat
COMMENTARY
Achan's awareness of his own transgression and subsequent fear led to the defeat of his camp at Ai. Rabbi Yosef ibn Kaspi, in his 14th-century commentary Gevia Kesef, explores the psychological and moral dimensions of Achan's actions and their impact on the Israelite army.
Achan and Joshua, James Tissot, 1896-1902
Achan and Joshua, James Tissot, 1896-1902
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