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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
Moshe was aware of the prophecy of Eldad and Meidad that Moshe would die in the desert and Yehoshua would lead the Jewish people into the Land of Israel. Yet somehow he thought that he could escape that fate. Rambam attributes Moshe’s shortcoming in this week’s parsha to his frustration and inner anger at the people who rebelled constantly against him and God. Moshe is disappointed in the people of Israel, a people that he loved with his heart and soul. Many times such a reaction and feeling is visible in the relationship of parents to their children - an unquenchable feeling of love tinged with a hue of some disappointment. But part of Moshe’s disappointment is in himself as well. He realizes that the people have not responded to his teachings of love of God and of the Land of Israel as he has. Moshe earlier said to God that You have told me to raise this people to greatness but You did not inform me as to how this was to be done. He is a victim of his generation’s stubbornness and hard-heartedness. And he therefore is disappointed that he was not able to break through that wall of rebellion and sometimes apathy. There are those that say that he purposely did not speak to the rock for then one could say that a rock listened to Moshe’s instructions while his beloved people of Israel did not. Even in his frustration and disappointment his love for his people never waned or weakened.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
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.