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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
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
