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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
A nation wandered in a barren land, with hot sand beneath them and a hot sun above, searching for a land to arrive at. They had thrown off their bonds of slavery but were looking for an independent life of freedom. What was leading them, preparing the path for them and warding off their enemies? The ark and the divine clouds. Flashes of fire came out from between the staves of the ark, burning snakes and scorpions; the clouds straightened the path (Devarim Rabba 7:9). The people were drawing closer to entry into the Land.
We find later on (Bamidbar 14 – next parasha) that the people were still excited about the idea of entering the Land. They wanted to go up and enter the Land, willing to sacrifice their lives for the dream of their homeland. Yet, the Amalekites and Canaanites came and destroyed the pioneer group (ibid. 45). Why were they not successful? Since the ark did not go along with them (ibid. 44), what happened was not a surprise.
These days also, the Jewish nation is wandering in the wilderness of the nations, without a clear path, seeking the Land where the cloud will enable them to have a proper encampment. However, they are exposed to different clouds, not those that straighten a path but cast fog over it. There are once again masses of Jews with walking sticks in hand and a questioning look of "to where" in their eyes. The most powerful state in the world has proclaimed war on them, and we would like to stand up and battle them. We proclaim: "We are ready to go up to the Land and sacrifice our lives for it." However, that is a dangerous step, and the question remains whether our fate will be like those who tried to go up to the Land from the desert and were destroyed.
The same guideline should be before us now as then. As long as the ark of the covenant is with us, we should feel confident that we will be brought to a place of rest. Operatively, that means that we must keep our part of the covenant. We have two covenants: the old one stemming from Mt. Sinai and the new one that came with the known declaration [apparently, Balfour]. These days the latter covenant has been publicly renounced [White Paper of 1939]. We must redouble our efforts to reinvigorate the original covenant and have it stand up against the new, abrogated covenant. The covenant at Sinai must stand up for us as we battle the modern Amalekites and Canaanites.
Tragically, we do not see the force that can bring us the salvation we need. We are not carrying the ark of the covenant. The calls to fight do not include the Name of Hashem, and martyrs are mentioned without invoking His Name. Most of us "kick the ark." At times like this, we have a special obligation to influence them. We are used to blaming those who desecrate Shabbat and other commandments and thereby defile the Land. However, we must remember that there are those who carry the ark. We need to know how to carry it before the nation and return it to its proper station. "The ark carries those who carry it."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
