Why Jewish History Is Worth Reading

In the introduction to Tzemach Dovid, Rav Dovid Ganz apologizes for his use of non-Jewish historical records and authors, pointing to the early Jewish philosophers who cited Aristotle. He explains that his historical accounts bring great benefit to Jewish readers: “The historical accounts and stories in this volume demonstrate Hashem's Divine Providence, hashgacha pratis, over His flock, Am Yisroel. It tells of great, mighty kings who rose to the throne and ruled in various countries, who made it their mission to destroy, uproot and decimate our people. Yet they failed again and again, because Hashem saved us from them and fulfilled His promise to protect us.” He concludes, “The readers can read of monarchs who ruled their nations, while we in our exile have no king. This should motivate our prayers to ‘return our judges’ and righteous monarchy to us as in the days of old, and cause us to ‘yearn for the flourishing of Tzemach Dovid,’ the offspring of Dovid, the Mashiach, amen, may it be His will.” He explains that this is why he named the sefer and why he wrote it.