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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
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Bnei Yisrael were counted "according to their families by the house of their fathers" (Bamidbar 1:2). They also encamped "each man by his flag, by the house of their fathers" (ibid. 2:2). The reason the father is stressed here is that every Jewish child has the right to know not only who his mother is but also who his father is. This basic right builds the encampment on the pillars of sanctity and turns Am Yisrael into a special nation, which impressed the "prophet of the nations," Bilam, who came to curse but ended up blessing. When he saw the Israelite encampment, he proclaimed: "How good are your tents, Yaakov, your dwellings, Israel" (ibid. 24:5). Rashi, following the lead of the midrash (Midrash Aggada, Balak 24), explains that Bilam saw that the opening of one tent was not opposite the opening of the neighboring tent so that one would not see what was happening in the adjacent tent. This is Chazal’s way of teaching the lesson of preserving the sanctity of the Jewish family in language that allows it to be understood on different levels and for different ages, including young children.
This care for the integrity of the Jewish family is a condition for Hashem’s willingness to have His Presence dwell in our encampment and in the Mishkan. We see this from Chazal, in explaining that we can determine Bilam’s intended curse from the opposite blessing that came out. The gemara (Sanhedrin 105b) says on the pasuk about the tents that Bilam tried to stop the Divine Presence from resting upon the people. This is a topic that is discussed in different forms from the middle of Sefer Shemot until Parashat B’haalotcha.
Let us return to the order of our parasha. The census showed the integrity of the Jewish family, as those who carried it out knew that the apparent father’s house was indeed the real father’s house. This made it possible to have a Mishkan, which in turn made it necessary to describe the tasks of the Levi’im within it. The impure must be sent away because the encampment must remain holy in all ways. Certainly there may not be infidelity, making it necessary to discuss the extreme steps taken to deal with the suspicion of failure in this regard (sota). This led to a discussion of other misappropriation: of funds. A famous statement of Chazal stresses the connection between suspicion of sota and the need for nezirut. After it was determined that one can rely on the paternity in the family, it became appropriate to present the Birkat Kohanim, which became intertwined in Klal Yisrael with the blessing of a father to his children. Finally, the nation was at the point that it could make the preparations to complete the Mishkan and welcome in the Divine Presence.
May we merit the fulfillment of the pasuk: "I will dwell among the Sons of Israel, and I will be for them a God" (Shemot 29:45).
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.
