עברית
Faith
When Did King David Pass Away?
Question
On what day did King David, may his memory be a blessing, pass away, on Shabbat or on Shavuot? Thank you very much!!
Answer
Greetings,
King David, may his memory be a blessing, passed away on the holiday of Shavuot, which fell on Shabbat.
Sources: See tractate Shabbat (page 30, columns 1-2) where it is mentioned that King David died on Shabbat. Also, refer to the Jerusalem Talmud, tractate Beitzah (chapter 2, law 4) and tractate Chagigah (chapter 2, law 3), which state that David died on the festival of Shavuot. Thus, it is established that he passed away on the holiday of Shavuot that happened to fall on Shabbat. This is also explicitly stated in Midrash Ruth Rabbah (chapter 3, section 2), which notes that David died on the festival that fell on Shabbat. However, see Tosafot on tractate Chagigah (page 17, column 1, s.v. af atzeret) which suggests that the Jerusalem Talmud may not hold that King David died on the festival of Shavuot that fell on Shabbat. Examine their reasoning there.
Regards,
Hillel Meirs
