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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Many mitzvot bring us great, palpable, spiritual elevation, in addition to the virtue of following a Divine imperative. But there are some mitzvot, which are all right and just, but they also contain elements that are spiritually difficult or even dangerous. They must be carried out diligently, but we should try to ensure that it is the Divine commandment and the positive elements that are highlighted, not the regrettable, albeit necessary, elements. At a joyous brit milah, we make a point of leaving out the words "shehasimcha bim’ono" to note that the child, who had the z’chut to enter the covenant of Avraham Avinu, is also in pain. R. Yehuda Hanasi was punished for not relating to the pain of an animal that was being taken to the mitzva of shechita (Bava Metzia 85a). And we even feel the regrettable element of the drowning of the evil Egyptians when we withhold the mitzva of full Hallel during most of Pesach.
Hashem told Moshe that Midian deserved punishment for what they had done to Bnei Yisrael and that Bnei Yisrael had His blessing (and command) to carry out the revenge. Yet Moshe felt that the gains of such a harsh action would be more complete and pure if Bnei Yisrael concentrated on the ills the Midianites had caused the Divine and focused less on their national right for revenge. He did not argue, Heaven forbid, with Hashem’s portrayal of the action but desired to channel it in a manner that would lessen the spiritually dangerous elements of war.
(It is possible that Moshe employed unusual rules of war to get his point across. According to Rashi’s version of the Sifrei, the Levi’im took part in the battle. This exception to the rule (see last week’s Hemdat Yamim) may have served as a sign that the battle had a specific nature of "revenge of Hashem," in which the Levi’im had a history of participation (see Shemot 32:26)).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
