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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
The Torah study is dedicatedto the full recovery of
Asher Ishaayahu Ben Rivka
Sota, a chapter dealing with suspicion , is calling upon us to value the contrasting value: loyalty and fealty. The Sota ordeal plays a role similar to the role of the list of penalties proscribed in the Torah for various transgressions. The purpose is to demonstrate the seriousness and magnitude of acts that affect not only the individual, but the family, society and the nation as a whole.
Nazir, asceticism in pursuit of sanctity, is highlighted in order to project the idea of man’s ownership and responsibility of his own actions. It is man, on his own initiative, who takes a step in order to raise his spiritual level.
Sota, is society’s response to filial discord and suspicion while Nazir is the individual’s initiative, in response to earlier failings. Both issues are instilling strength by maintaining that both society and the individual have the ability of controlling their moral destiny even in situations where there are failures and setbacks.
National success is guaranteed when the individual assumes responsibility on his moral behavior and when society does not ignore the deterioration of morals within the family unit.
And so, it is very appropriate that after highlighting Sota, society’s response to suspicion and Nazir, the individual obligation of moral responsibility, the Torah then provides us with the blessing for the Nation:
וישמרך – Security, ויחונך – Educational and Moral Enhancement and שלום – Peace.
The Almighty provides us with security and peace when we take responsibility as individuals and as society for our own ethical and moral behavior. Moral initiative and consistency are the building blocks of the Jewish Nation and its success. Israel today, in search of security and peace, is able to rely on the very clear prescription set out in Parshat Naso. Our prayers in Israel are consistently for "Veyasem Lecha Shalom".
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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.
