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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Our parasha is not the first one in which Moshe’s authority was questioned. Eldad and Meidad prophesied publicly, much to Yehoshua’s chagrin. Yet there, Moshe responded that it would be wonderful for there to be more and more prophets (Bamidbar 11:28-29). It is, therefore, somewhat surprising that Moshe reacted so harshly when an important man like Korach (see Bamidbar Rabba 18:3) raised the idea that there should be more sharing of authority in the Israelite hierarchy.
We may need to distinguish between two aspects of Jewish leadership. Torah scholarship is very heavily dependent on accepting the authority of sources and traditions, which are passed down in a chain from previous generations and from leader to leader. This fact gives a tremendous "advantage" to the elders, especially the scholars among them. The younger student has to be willing to make himself subservient to his teachers, those above him in the chain. This phenomenon helps ensure the viability of passing on the tradition, which is especially crucial in the area of halacha. In fact we even have Talmudic statements to the tune that a disciple is not allowed to say anything that he did not hear from his teachers. Serving an elder master, in the intellectual meaning of the term, is a crucial condition to being able to receive permission to someday rule on matters himself.
Prophecy is very different than the transmission of Torah traditions. Firstly, it is very individual. Prophecy was never given to a group. Rather, it is the word of Hashem, which He decides to expose a holy man to. It is so personal that the Rabbis say, "two prophets do not prophesy in one style." The path to attaining prophecy apparently is a personal one of searching and self-attainment in the areas of purity, which brings holiness, which then brings Divine spirit. There is no guarantee that one who follows a tradition of prophets will reach prophecy. To the contrary, prophecy deals with the new and the renewing, not in the old and the static. Thus, Eldad and Meidad’s prophecy, without Moshe’s authorization or permission, did not threaten the tradition of Torah leadership, which ran through Moshe and which was so basic to the survival of Judaism. In contrast, Korach’s challenge to Moshe’s authority did.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts