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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
Let us give a few examples. When did the m’koshesh (Bamidbar 15:32-36) desecrate Shabbat? Rashi brings the view that it was on the second week after Bnei Yisrael were commanded to keep Shabbat. Thus, the nation was disgraced for not succeeding in keeping more than one Shabbat. The Ramban learns from the proximity to the Sin of the Spies that it occurred soon after that sin, a full year later.
The C’naani (Amalek) attacked Bnei Yisrael and took captive(s) (Bamidbar 21). According to the gemara (Rosh Hashana 3a), they seized the opportunity of Aharon’s death (in the 40th year) to attack. The Radak says that the matter refers to the defeat of the ma’apilim, who decided to go to Eretz Yisrael after Hashem decreed that they would have to wait 40 years because of the Sin of the Spies. The difference is not just 38 years, but affects which generation it affected. Was it the generation that had been liberated from slavery and had been decreed to die in the midbar, or was it the generation that had grown up in the midbar and was preparing to take on the challenges of entering the Land?
A very significant difference of opinion is found in our parasha. When did Korach’s rebellion occur? Ibn Ezra (16:1) bases himself on the group’s main complaints to arrive at the following thesis. The Tribe of Levi, Moshe’s tribe, replaced the firstborn in their projected role of religious leadership. The Levi’im were put at the disposal of the Kohanim, Moshe’s brother’s family. The Tribes of Yosef supplanted the Tribe of Reuven, Yaakov’s firstborn. When these events occured, the reaction was prompt and severe; Korach led a rebellion of the disgruntled groups.
The Ramban (ibid.) cannot accept that approach. After all, his guiding chronological principle is that the Torah records all events in order, except in the few cases where it is explicit that is not so. Therefore, he says, the rebellion must have been after the difficult events of the second year had transpired. No one could have cast aspersions on Moshe’s leadership soon after leaving Egypt and after Moshe had saved the nation from Hashem’s wrath after the Sin of the Golden Calf. Only later, when Moshe did not prevent the punishment of 40 years in the midbar or the punishment received at Kivrot Hata’ava, did Korach’s band take old grievances out of the closet.
Let these examples encourage us to keep our eyes and minds open to the interaction between timing and content in the Torah.
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.
