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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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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.
