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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
We can understand why those under 20 were spared from the decree. After all, at that age one is not fully responsible for his shortcomings (Rashi on Bereishit 23:1). But after the age of 60, when one is already at an age of leadership, he should be even more responsible, so why were the elders spared? How do we know about the Levi’im exception? There is empirical evidence (Aharon’s son, Elazar, is mentioned in Sefer Yehoshua). But beyond this, the gemara (ibid.) infers from the pasuk that says that the decree was "from 20 years old and above" (Bamidbar 14:29) that only those who were counted from the age of 20 were punished, not those who were counted from 30. One understanding is that the Levi’im were counted from the age of 30 days, as we find twice in Bamidbar (3:15; 26:62). However, the Rashbam (on Bava Batra 121b) proves that it refers to the later counting, from the age of 30 years (Bamidbar 4:46). One could claim that the numerical difference is a technical way for the Torah to hint that the Levi’im were excluded from the decree to perish in the desert. However, a more substantive possibility can explain all of the exceptions to the rule.
The age of being counted, above 20 (until 60, according to Rashbam, ibid.) was not by chance, but because they were "all who go out to the army in Israel." When the spies came back with a report that the Jewish soldiers would be overpowered by their Cana’anite enemies, all eyes turned, not to the elders, but to those who would be asked to fight. Did they have the guts and the belief in Hashem to fight? The Torah records the complaints of Bnei Yisrael at that time. "Why does Hashem bring us to this land to fall by the sword, our wives and children will be taken as spoils" (Bamidbar 14:3). Who would use that language? Not the wives, children, or the elders. Not the Levi’im, who did not fight, but served in the Mishkan and were counted according to their years of service (30 to 50). Rather, it was the prospective soldiers, expressing their fear of death in battle. As it was their task to show bravery and belief, they were the most harshly punished.
How grateful we should be to the Israeli soldier of recent history, who has responded to the challenge of facing formidable odds by rising up bravely in the spirit of Kalev.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
