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Beit Midrash
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The midrash gives a frightening answer from which we should learn for all generations. It says that Moshe heard people speaking about him: "Look at all the things he has. He eats from the Jews’ property, drinks from the Jews’ property, and all that he has is from the Jews." Another one said: "Would you think that the one who is in charge of all the work of the Mishkan would not be rich?" The Midrash concludes that Moshe decided that when he finished the Mishkan, he would do an exact accounting of everything that was collected and used.
A different midrash (ibid.) describes the drama that occurred when the final accounting report was issued. Moshe invited everyone to the presentation of the report. When he made the calculation of what had been used, he forgot the silver used for "vavim" of the posts of the tent walls, which was the weight of 1,775 shekel coins. (This is the reason that the Torah writes separately the amount used on the vavim (Shemot 38:28). Imagine the pandemonium that erupted when Moshe was unable to justify his use of the donations. The solution to the situation was no less dramatic: a Heavenly voice came out and said that the unaccounted silver had indeed been used for the vavim.
The issue of Moshe’s propriety was a matter that was argued with the opponents of the Jewish people over the centuries. The Yerushalmi (Sanhedrin 1:4) relates that the Roman governor, Antignus taunted: "Your teacher, Moshe, was either a thief or did not know arithmetic." If Moshe Rabbeinu was subject to such criticism, simple people can also expect to be liable to be suspected.
During the month when our ancestors would prepare donations for the year’s service in the Temple, which we make a point of reading publicly, we would like to remind all those who are in public and mitzva-related funds to be very careful. If Moshe Rabbeinu could take steps to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, we should as well. It is important to keep books with transparency, pay taxes diligently, and give workers their full rights. The public can do its part by checking that the places to which they donate are above board in their finances. Rabbinic leaders would be wise to leave the ability to sign checks in the hands of voluntary members of the board and not assume more monetary authority than is safe for their reputations.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.