YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Beshalach
The end of our parasha tells of Bnei Yisrael’s complaint about lack of water. The Torah summarizes the episode as follows: "He called the name of the place Masa U’Meriva (Questioning and Quarrel), about Bnei Yisrael’s quarrel and their questioning of Hashem, saying: ‘Is Hashem amongst us or ayin (nothing)?’" (Shemot 17:7). This pasuk shows that the issue behind Bnei Yisrael’s complaint about water was an underlying lack of faith in Hashem’s constant assistance, which is an outgrowth of the prevalence of the Divine Presence.
This language is reminiscent of an incident in the haftara involving Yael and her invitation to the enemy general, Sisra, to enter her tent. After Sisra filled himself with milk, he commanded Yael to stand by the tent’s entrance and tell anyone who would ask if a man was inside: "Ayin."
A third pasuk using the word "ayin" is in preparation to the spies’ evil mission. Moshe told them to report on whether the land was fat or lean and whether there was a tree there or ayin (Bamidbar 13:17-20). Chazal, followed by Rashi, explain that the tree refers to an upright person in whose merit the people could receive protection from the arriving Israelites. Where does this innovative idea come from that the tree was a person? It is true that in the context of the prohibition on cutting down fruit trees, the Torah writes, "for man is the tree of the field" (Devarim 20:19), but it is difficult to see this as a prototype for other places in the Torah, that a tree refers to a person.
Putting these three p’sukim together, we can suggest the following. Moshe was not asking the spies to investigate something physical but something spiritual. He wanted to know whether the Divine Presence rested on the Canaanites. In other words, did they have noble people of a high moral standing to protect them through the shadow of the Divine Presence (see Tehillim 91:1) that accompanied them. The question of our nation’s chances against the inhabitants of the Land hinged on the relative level of Divine Assistance. The word ayin, when compared to the word in the context of our parasha, relates to the issue of recognition of the Divine Presence, thus indicating Moshe’s interest in the spiritual element. The pasuk from the haftara illustrates that ayin can also be a hint at the presence of a person, which, by association, can mean that the tree could be referring to a person. (During the upcoming Tu B’Shvat, we can contemplate the significance of this connection as well.)
Thinking forward, we can also realize the spiritual message for our time – the question of our rights to Eretz Yisrael also hinges on the question of whether we have a society in which people show the type of good midot that will make us worthy of Divine Protection.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
