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Beit Midrash
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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
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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.
