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Beit Midrash
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He answers based on the p’sukim (Devarim 4: 22-23) that connect the ideas that Moshe was going to die and that Bnei Yisrael would worship false gods. He explains that with Moshe tapping into the merit of Eretz Yisrael, the desire for idol worship would have been nullified. In that way, Moshe’s entrance would have prevented the things that brought on the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash from occurring.
Rav Yisraeli z.t.l. (Harabbanut V’hamedina, pg. 310) raises another way in which Moshe’s leadership in the Land would have prevented destruction and Yehoshua’s shortcoming in this regard. Bnei Yisrael’s entry into the Land after 40 years of wandering signified a sharp transition from a life that depended on miracles to one that externally appeared natural. There was no more manna, special fire, or special cloud to show Hashem’s presence on a daily basis. The people had to fight and settle the Land. The spiritual challenge was to recognize that within the "natural" life, Divine intervention affects everything. That is why the first battle, the Battle of Jericho, included a miracle. They circled the city for seven days with the ark of the tablets; on the seventh day the walls fell to the sound of the shofar.
In order to capture the miraculous nature of the event, a ban was made on use of the city’s spoils. However, this was insufficient to train the people’s mindset. Hashem had told Yehoshua that in order to succeed, the sefer Torah would have to be with them and be studied day and night (Yehoshua 1:8). Because this imperative was not fully kept, an angel appeared and told Yehoshua that he had failed to involve himself in Torah study during off-times between battles (Megilla 3a). Rav Yisraeli said that he thus failed to put Torah at the center but had set the stage for the ultimate deterioration to the point of violating the three cardinal sins.
In contrast, Moshe was able to tell his father-in-law that he spent all day judging the people (Shemot 18:15). This was not just a matter of dispute resolution but a way to teach people that the Torah’s laws apply to every aspect of one’s life. They show the Divine wisdom’s breadth and relevance. This is a message that we, as dayanim in modern-day society, must remember. Hopefully, we can display the Torah’s beauty and significance to those who come to us for judgment.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
