YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Purim & The Month of Adar
- Megilat Esther
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
Haman, in planning to destroy the Jews, looked for Bnei Yisrael’s "Achilles’ heel." He was happy when the lot showed that the time to fight the Jews was in the month of Adar, during which Moshe died. Chazal (Megilla 13b) tell us that it was actually a good time because Moshe both died and was born on the 7th of Adar. My rosh yeshiva, Rav Chayim Yaakov Goldwicht (who died on the 7th of Adar, 15 years ago) picks up on the implication that not just Moshe’s birth made Adar positive but even his death was part of the month’s positive element. How could this be?
He starts his answer with some background. The gemara (Shabbat 88a) says that Hashem coerced Bnei Yisrael to accept the Torah but that they willingly renewed their acceptance at the time of Achashveirosh. The midrash (Tanchuma, Noach 3) says that "we shall do and hear" was said willingly regarding the Written Torah, and the initial reluctance was regarding the more difficult Oral Law. The difficulty of the Oral Law is felt strongly at the time of one’s teacher’s death, when unanswered questions fall upon students who may feel insecure. The midrash (Bamidar Rabba 14:4) attributes the pasuk that calls the words of the wise "nails that are planted" to this time of the rabbi’s death, as the students know they have to internalize what they learned. Indeed, at the time of Moshe’s death, many Torah ideas were initially lost but were pieced together by the brilliance and hard work of Otniel ben K’naz. Thus, Moshe’s death was, at once, a tragedy but, on the other hand, was the impetus for the next generation of scholars to assume their role in the chain of tradition.
Moshe, Rav Goldwicht explains, is described as the sun, representing the immense power of the Written Torah, while Yehoshua, his prized disciple, represented the moon (Bava Batra 75a). The latter’s job was to reflect Moshe’s light, in the tradition of the Oral Law. Thus, the time of Moshe’s death was a good time for Bnei Yisrael to display their power of Oral Law, as Moshe’s death prepared them for the rededication to that element of the Torah at the time of Purim.
We can point out that the moon’s reflection of the sun’s light is only significant when the sun has passed on to another place. Even as the sun is then blocked from view, it continues to give light through the moon. As we pointed out, Purim is the holiday of hidden things, including the invisible hand of our ultimate Master, whose light is hidden throughout the story but is recognized only by those who know to discern it.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.