YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
Yes, I know that sounds very, well, evangelical. But it’s true, all the same. How do I know? Because over & over again, little things in the Torah indicate that Hashem is always looking out for our best interests, cheering us on to do better, & taking our needs into account.
But do we always get the message, & fully appreciate what we have?
In our Sedra, for example, we read about the Jews who complained about their lot in the desert, complaining even about the miracle Mahn, lamenting how much they missed the cucumbers, the watermelon, the leeks, the onion & garlic that they had enjoyed in Egypt. (This always reminds me of the people who wax nostalgic about the "good old days" in the shtetls of Europe, which, in reality, were among the most horrible places that we Jews have ever lived in).
But wait; didn’t the mahn taste like any food we imagined? So what was there to complain about?
Rashi explains that these particular five foods mentioned above were the exception to the rule; the mahn couldn’t mimic their taste, because they were harmful to nursing mothers. OK; so why not just warn those mothers not to eat them! Ah, but feelings count: Hashem didn’t want the inequity of some people being able to experience certain tastes, while others could not! So He declared those foods "off-limits."
A similar message is conveyed by the unusual law in our parsha of "Pesach Sheni," whereby Jews who were unable to bring the Korban Pesach in its normal time (Nisan 14) were permitted to bring it one month later. Their compelling argument before Moshe & Ahron – "Why should WE be denied the chance to perform this great Mitzva?!" – falls on receptive Divine "ears," & Hashem grants their petition.
But why is Pesach the only time that this special dispensation is given? Why, for example, can we not build & dwell in a Sukka a month after Sukkot, if we unavoidably missed the first opportunity to do so?
I suggest that Pesach is chosen for a "make-up Mitzva" for two reasons: One, it is the first holiday in our calendar, so it sets the tone for all the others. But more important, Pesach is the "Season of our Liberation." Mitzvot are not to be viewed as oppressive obligations that we do grudgingly, but rather as grand occasions that bring us closer to G-d, as stimuli that "liberate" our souls & give us purpose in life.
As such, Pesach is the perfect venue to drive home this message to the masses: Do not ask what you can do for the Mitzvot, but what the Mitzvot can do for you.
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.