YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Beshalach
Our parsha tells us that as Bnei Yisrael prepared to exit Egypt, Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him (his coffin had been put in the Nile) for reburial in Israel, as Yosef had requested two centuries earlier. Says G’mara Sota: "While the people were busy gathering gold, silver and other precious objects (from the Egyptians), Moshe was gathering Mitzvot."
Interesting. Just what would the people do with these items in the desert? What could they "buy" with it? True, they could donate it for the Mishkan (the gold Menora, the silver trumpets, etc) but it is the rare person who davka collects money in order to give it away, even if he gets public recognition for his charitable act.
So we see that the acquisition of wealth has intrinsic value for many people; perhaps they feel secure with it, perhaps they believe they will be respected by others if they are rich. Indeed, some of our greatest sages were very wealthy: Rav Yehuda HaNasi, Abravanel and Rashi come to mind; Rav Soloveicheik was also quite "well off." There is even a belief that, since prosperity comes only from Hashem, being wealthy is an indication that this person has been specifically blessed by G-d, and so his wealth may be worn as a badge of honor.
But Moshe qualifies this a bit by showing the people, through his precise attention to Yosef’s wishes, that Mitzvot are also of great – or even greater – value. Every act of chesed is a diamond; every act of piety is a gold nugget. And their value transcends this world; for while you can’t take your money with you when you die - as they say, there are no pockets in burial shrouds/tachrichim! - your Mitzvot accompany you to Olam Haba and pay for your "entrance ticket" there.
Furthermore, Hashem promises that we will not suffer any monetary loss whatsoever due to our performance of Mitzvot. To prove the point, G-d tells Moshe, "p’sal l’cha;"YOU, not Me. will hew the 2nd set of Luchot!" As a by-product of doing so, Moshe collected the chips that came off the Luchot – which were made of precious stone – and so he had more than his share of material wealth as well. Hashem provides!
When the eternal brachot are given to Yakov and Esav by father Yitzchak, each blessing contains the promise of the "fat of the land" (materialism) as well as the "dew of Heaven," (spirituality). The only difference between them? Which one comes first - which one is primary.
That consideration, then and now, is for all of us to choose.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
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.
