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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
Perhaps Moshe took the cue from Hashem. According to a midrash in at least three places (see Tanchuma, Yitro 9) Hashem actually wanted to give the Torah to Bnei Yisrael right after they left Egypt (it is not clear on precisely what date). However, since Bnei Yisrael quarreled at each encampment, Hashem did not give it earlier. He waited until they came to the Desert of Sinai and encamped opposite the mountain "as one person with one heart" (see Shemot 19:2 and Rashi, ad loc.). Moshe, thus, saw that the crucial thing was not the date on the calendar but the development of Bnei Yisrael in the proper way.
What did Moshe feel would be gained by waiting? According to Rashi (Shemot 19:15) Moshe calculated that if the Torah was given on the sixth, some women would be unable to become purified by that time. This type of impurity would not have raised a halachic problem in this context, and there were types of impurity that existed anyway. However, Moshe realized the crucial role that the women would play in the proper acceptance of the Torah. In the first message Hashem gave to Bnei Yisrael regarding their preparedness to accept the Torah and enter the special covenant, He told Moshe to speak to "Beit Ya’akov" and "Bnei Yisrael" (Shemot 19:3). Rashi identifies Beit Yaakov as the women, making it interesting that the women are mentioned first in this context. Moshe decided that for Bnei Yisrael to be fully ready to encounter Hashem and accept the Torah, the women should have the opportunity to be at their spiritual best.
Rav Dessler (Michtav Me’eliyahu, vol. II) discusses the danger of the Torah being given with a display of love between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael without the requisite level of fear of Hashem and human effort. Therefore, when Bnei Yisrael expressed apprehension in hearing Hashem directly present the words of the Torah to them, Hashem accepted it (see Shemot 20:17). Thus, we see on several levels that the nation’s having the right attitude and preparing for the giving of the Torah was more important than it being at the most opportune time and optimal manner.
May we relive the giving of the Torah through a sense of unity, a proper balance between love and fear of Hashem, and in a manner that allows both men and women to get the most out of the opportunity. These steps will help ensure the right circumstances for fulfilling the Torah in ever-increasing quality.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
