YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
of the complainers, has Bnei Yisrael grousing at every turn. We complain about the hurried journey through the harsh desert; the lack of meat, the absence of all the delicacies we had in Egypt (cucumbers are a delicacy?!).
Even Miriam & Aharon get in the act, when they complain that Moshe is neglecting his poor wife, Tzipora.
But perhaps the most perplexing protest is that about the Mahn. "Nafshenu y’vaysha; ayn kol – bilti el ha-mahn aynenu – Our souls are parched, we have nothing, only
this Mahn to look at!" they moan & groan.
But what are they saying? If their throats were parched, from lack of water, I could understand that. But their very souls being parched?! What is THAT all about? And why this focus on what the Mahn looked like; the main thing is that it miraculously TASTED like anything they had a craving for!
I suggest that the key to unlocking their skewed psyche is the little two-word phrase, "Ayn kol." This could mean, "we have nothing;" or it could be translated, "we don’t have everything. In other words, the people were saying that while it is true that they had lots of perks & privileges in the desert – they were guarded by fire & cloud, they were taught by Moshe, their every need was provided for them without having to work for it – they still felt they did not have everything. "Where’s my steak, smothered in garlic & onions, with watermelon for dessert?!
Extreme entitlement is a potent emotional disease; it makes us desire that which we do not have, while denigrating & denying all the amazing gifts which G-d does
shower upon us. When we focus on what’s missing from our lives, rather than appreciating what we DO have, our souls become dry & parched, leaving a taste in our
mouths & souls as empty as the vast, barren desert.
The solution, as the pasuk itself hints at, is to re-order "ayneynu," our eyes. To direct our focus on the cup half-full which Hashem pours for us each morning, to dwell on the beautiful world in which we live, on the spectacular Israel we now control, on the good fortune we have to be living in such dynamic, exciting, historic times.
Each morning, as we start our prayers, we first thank & acknowledge G-d for giving us clothes, freedom, health, strength & life. And, perhaps most importantly, pokeyach ivrim; the ability to see it.
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.
