שופטים, פרק י׳, פסוק א׳

Following the turbulent reign of Abimelech, a new leader emerges with the clear purpose of bringing relief to the nation. The arrival of Tola sparks a discussion regarding how his leadership compares to that of his predecessor. Some commentators suggest that the reference to Tola saving the Israelites implies that Abimelech, despite his harsh actions, also protected the nation from their enemies, justifying his historical inclusion among the judges [רד״ק]. Others, however, view the transition as a sharp contrast. In this view, Tola steps forward to offer genuine salvation, unlike Abimelech, who merely seized control of the people by force and failed to bring them any true relief [מלבי״ם].

The background of this new judge introduces a question about his family lineage. The primary approach among commentators is that the name of Tola's grandfather was simply Dodo. However, an alternative perspective understands his family description literally, suggesting that Tola was actually the son of Abimelech's uncle, making the two leaders cousins [רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This family connection adds a profound moral dimension to Tola's character. Highlighting his relationship to his corrupt predecessor serves to praise Tola: even though he was closely tied to Abimelech, he rejected his evil ways and dedicated himself entirely to rescuing the Israelites [חומת אנך]. Yet, this familial link is debated due to a tribal inconsistency. Tola is identified as a man of the tribe of Issachar, whereas Abimelech's family belonged to the tribe of Manasseh, making it difficult to explain how they could be cousins [מלבי״ם].

Tola establishes his seat of leadership in a city called Shamir, located in the hill country of Ephraim. While the exact geographical location of Shamir remains unknown today [ביאור שטיינזלץ], the broader region he chose carries deeper significance. The hill country of Ephraim was traditionally regarded as an area uniquely prepared and suited for cultivating wisdom, providing a fitting environment for a leader dedicated to guiding his people [חומת אנך].