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Beit Midrash
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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
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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.