YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Ki Tisa
First let us understand what it means that Moshe’s face was karan. Both the earlier and the later commentators explain that Moshe received some sort of special shine or glow emanating from his face. This is related to the event of receiving the Torah and luchot a second time, and is in line with the pasuk, "The wisdom of a man will light up his face" (Kohelet 8:1). The Rashbam and the Ibn Ezra scoffed at the Karaite who explained that Moshe’s face was dry because he did not eat for 40 days or the person who said that karan is related to the keren (horn) of an animal.
Let us now move on to the form of the luchot. So many shuls display the likeness of these holy tablets, usually above the aron kodesh. In the great majority of the cases, the likeness has rounded tops. This is mistaken. The gemara in Bava Batra (14a) discusses what was in the aron in the Temple in addition to the luchot. In that discussion, the gemara mentions the undisputed measurements of the luchot. The dimensions were six (i.e., an amma (cubit) of six tefachim (handbreadths)) by six by three. Putting one tablet on top of the other, they would form a perfect cube of one cubic amma. It is interesting to note that the Holy of Holies, both in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and in the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was also a perfect cube, in that case, of ten ammot in each direction. In any case, every indication was that the luchot were square, not rounded.
Another point worth clarifying is the place of the Ten Commandments on the luchot. It is universally depicted as each tablet containing five of the commandments. This indeed is the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda (Shemot Rabba, Ki Tisa 47). However, Rabbi Nechemia (ibid.) disagrees and says that there were ten on each tablet (i.e., the tablets were a repeat of each other). Perhaps the curious possibility of their being a repeat caused most people to just assume that Rabbi Yehuda is correct.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
