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Beit Midrash
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Kohen to render those who were spiritually impure, pure again. Because the ashes of the Para Aduma also caused the administering Kohen to himself become tamei, it is an inscrutable statute that all but Moshe could not fathom.
The second well-known subject is the incident at "Mey M’Riva," where Moshe strikes the rock, producing water for Am Yisrael. Because Moshe strikes, rather than speaks to the rock – as Hashem had directly commanded him – Moshe will be punished by being denied entrance to Eretz Yisrael.
Many, many times, people ask: "Why was Moshe so harshly punished? What, exactly, was his crime?"
While many answers have been suggested, I would like to share an idea connecting the two above subjects of the rock & the Red Cow. But, like every good answer, we must first begin with another question: Why, when Hashem criticizes Moshe, does He say: "Because you did not believe Me, you will not bring the nation to Israel." What does that mean?! Why doesn’t Hashem just say, "Because you HIT the rock, rather than address it, I am punishing you." What does belief have to do with it?
Consider the following: Moshe was the only person in history to merit understanding the Para Aduma; even Shlomo the Wise could not figure it out. So, essentially, Moshe knew everything there was to know! Now, when Hashem told Moshe to bring his staff to the rock, Moshe asked himself, "Why would I be told to take my staff & then speak to the rock! Surely I am meant to strike it! And hang on, there's more; the last time the people needed water, wasn’t I commanded then to hit the rock?! So clearly, the obvious, called-for act here is for me to rap the rock, not rap with the rock!"
It’s easy to see how Moshe could have questioned G-d’s command, but that is exactly the point! Hashem was testing Moshe: Will he follow My directives – though they clearly seem wrong to him – or will he do what he thinks is right? In short, will he believe Me, or will he second-guess me?
Alas, Moshe - for all his greatness - fails this test, but he leaves us a lasting lesson, wisdom for the ages: While we must always employ our brain, our "sechel" and our innate sense of right and wrong, when Hashem clearly tells us to do something – even if it goes against our own logic & instinct – we have to trust that G-d knows what He is saying, & knows exactly what is best for us. So - just do it!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
