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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
One issue has to do with the question of strong leadership in the first place. Korach and his followers claimed: "You have too much, for the entire congregation is holy, and Hashem is amongst them, and why should you raise yourselves (hitnasut) over the congregation of Hashem?" (Bamidbar 16:3). From Moshe’s response, we can see that it wasn’t that the protestors rejected Moshe’s leadership in general but that they were looking for a bigger portion of the leadership pie for themselves (see ibid. 10). However, when Datan and Aviram entered the picture, we see that they objected to Moshe’s dominion (serara) over the people, in general.
Let us move on to the next issue: the request of Shmuel’s generation for a king. The people introduced the request with a claim to Shmuel that he was old and that his sons did not follow their father’s path (Shmuel I, 8:5). They then asked for a king "to judge us like all the nations." It is interesting that the period of close to 400 years from the entry of Bnei Yisrael into Eretz Yisrael until the time of Shmuel was known as the Period of the Shoftim (usually translated, judges). There are many proofs that the term in this context refers more to leaders than to judges. Throughout Sefer Shoftim, we find no cases of judgments, just signs of leadership, prominent among them being waging war. What, then, is the big difference between the shoftim and subsequent kings? The answer is the matter of inheritance of the leadership. The only judge who was followed by his son was Gidon, and his son actually assumed leadership by force.
The term serara, which Datan and Aviram referred to, is used in other contexts regarding kingship and other forms of power (see Rambam, Melachim 1:4, regarding who is allowed to adopt such positions.) According to our mentor, Harav Shaul Yisraeli (Amud Hay’mini 12:5), there is a direct correlation between serara and the idea of inheritance of the position. Datan and Aviram, descendants of Yaakov’s firstborn, Reuven, claimed that they should have inherited leadership, as Reuven had also deserved. They warned Moshe that he should not try to have his leadership transferred to his sons.
Shmuel was the first of the Shoftim who contemplated passing over his leadership to his sons, which the people rejected. The people said to Shmuel that if he was thinking in the direction of inherited leadership, then apparently the time had come for the related system of monarchy. Employing inheritance in leadership has plusses and minuses. If there is a lack of fear of Heaven and accountability, the system can be grossly abused. The proper time for monarchy came when David came on the scene, as he is the one who taught the crucial ability to seek repentance. Otherwise, monarchy should not be used.
We pray that the idea of readiness to seek repentance will be strengthened and, along with it, the whole idea of proper leadership will flourish.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.