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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Balak
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Amram son of Sultana
Simply perusing the Torah portion with Rashi uncovers that Bilam’s speeches contain three basic elements. One is of prophecy revealing some of Hashem’s future plans. There is a only little bit of what we would call beracha, namely wishing someone good things. A third, major part of Bilam’s speeches is descriptive, telling of Bnei Yisrael’s past and present spiritual accomplishments and of Hashem’s love for them. Is such a description a blessing or just an objective portrayal of a nation?
Performing any sin is considered a desecration of Hashem’s Name (see Berachot 19b). But sometimes a spiritual blemish, upon becoming known to the broader public, creates a bigger desecration, which is the classical use of the term chillul Hashem. The greater the presumed spiritual standing of the offender is, the greater the chillul Hashem (see Yoma 84a). This is as true for nations as it is for people. Thus, publicizing the blemishes of a mamlechet kohanim (kingdom of priests) has a destructive effect on their ability to function in that role. If so, the standing of such a nation, entitling it to protection and success, can boomerang into a liability if it becomes a disgraced world leader.
Thus, Bilam attempted to uncover Bnei Yisrael’s shortcomings and scream out to Hashem and the nations: "Bnei Yisrael is a hoax and a disgrace to the exalted role it has assumed." He went from vantage point to vantage point (literally and figuratively) to uncover flaws but came up empty. Had he succeeded, the report would have been more destructive than any curse the sorcerer Bilam could have uttered. So was Bnei Yisrael a hoax or a holy nation? Like at any time in Jewish history, there were elements of both. But Hashem only allowed Bilam to see and express the positive in Bnei Yisrael. Thus, his report presented the side of Bnei Yisrael which made it a sanctification of His Name.
Our knowledge of Bilam’s "social commentary" is significant not only to understand historically how Hashem protected us from his scheme. It also gives us a goal to strive for. Let us indeed live up to the positive report that the prophet of the nations gave about us and, in so doing, sanctify His Name as we were created as a nation to do. Let us make the work of anti-Semites, who always start by vilifying us in the eyes of the world, more difficult, until Hashem forces them to see and admit the spiritual heights we can and/or do reach.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.