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Beit Midrash
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When telling Moshe that He planned to destroy Bnei Yisrael, He offered Moshe: "I shall make you a great nation" (Shemot 32:10). Rav Elazar says: Moshe responded as follows: "If a chair with three legs (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov) cannot stand, how much more so is this true of a chair with one leg (Moshe)."
Ein Ayah: The foundation of zechut avot (the merit of the forefathers), which helps the offspring, is that the forefathers inculcate their good traits into their offspring’s nature. If enough goodness is passed on, then even if the children, in actions, leave the straight path, their spiritual inheritance suffices to prevent them from reaching a level of spiritual hopelessness. It may take brilliant moral lessons or afflictions to which Hashem may have to subject them, but they will be able to return to the good nature they inherited.
The effectiveness of this spiritual "trait transfer" depends on the degree to which the traits were entrenched in the forefathers. Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov were so connected to their attributes that they could serve as the source of a holy nation that bears Hashem’s Name. The nation acquired the traits on an eternal basis, to the extent an entire nation can. When a specific good trait becomes the trademark of one individual, its impact becomes very strong. While a person is more complete if he excels less spectacularly but at many positive characteristics, the strength of the particular characteristic he represents is weakened because each trait has its own impact on the spirit.
The gemara (Yevamot 79a) says that Bnei Yisrael excel at three basic characteristics: rachmanut (compassion), baishanut (shyness), and gemilut chasadim (helping one’s counterpart). Possibly, these traits were more strongly infused into the national fabric because each of the forefathers took a single trait as the main part of his life. Avraham adopted chesed; Yitzchak epitomized tzni’ut/ baishanut, evident from his behavior during his marriage; Yaakov excelled in rachmanut, which finds particular expression in parents’ love for children.
It pays for a leader to have a combination of several good traits. However, as a forefather who wants to pass on traits to his offspring, especially a whole nation that stands out for outstanding characteristics, it is better to be focused on a single trait and thereby strengthen the impression. Only Hashem knows to what extent the inherited strengths will be able to overcome the corruptive potential of man’s free will.
As a result of the sin of the Golden Calf, where promiscuousness and murder were included in the overall activity of idol worship, Bnei Yisrael lost much of its special status. These sins are the opposites of rachmanut, baishanut, and gemilut chasadim. Murder is the opposite of compassion; promiscuity is the opposite of shyness; idol worship is the opposite of kindness to others. The reason for the opposite connection between idol worship and gemilut chasadim is as follows. Chesed comes from the total recognition of Hashem’s unity, which makes all people want to unite to improve the lot of the community. Idol worship, in contrast, ruins the focus on unity by focusing on separateness and on how to increase one’s physical enjoyment.
Although Bnei Yisrael temporarily lost their level, Moshe’s efforts helped them recover the light from their souls’ present darkness and uncover the innate, hidden spiritual powers. Moshe argued that if all hope was lost and they should be destroyed despite the inherited potential, who is to say their replacements will be able to preserve the traits? Bnei Yisrael, who descended from the three forefathers, were more likely to have the traits in their stronger form than those who would descend specifically from Moshe. Moshe had already combined the characteristics, making him a great leader. However as a "chair," able to support his offspring as a forefather, he was "one-legged," i.e., less likely to leave the impression that could be passed on to future generations.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
