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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
Several questions jump out of this pasuk. First, why are Moshe’s two sons identified as "Zipora's sons" rather than the children of BOTH parents? Second, Gershom was born, & his name identified, way back in parshat Shmot (2:22). Why was it necessary once again, here in this sedra, to repeat it? Finally, although Moshe’s second son, Eliezer, was born a long time ago, this is the first time he is ever mentioned! Why only now do we learn about him?
I suggest the following: The boys are referred to as "Zipora’s sons" because she was left alone to raise them while Moshe, at Hashem’s bidding, pursued the formidable task of extricating Bnei Yisrael from Egypt. For the best of reasons, he was the epitome of the "absentee
Abba," & so Zipora is given credit for being, in effect, "both" parents.
And while Eliezer’s name expresses Moshe’s thanks for having been saved "from Paro’s sword" – way back 61 years ago when he killed the Egyptian – Moshe has been saved numerous other times since then (such as when he went back & forth to Paro’s palace); & so it seems fitting to mention Eliezer’s name here at this juncture, now that Paro has been vanquished once and for all & Moshe is truly safe.
But what about the repetition of Gershom & his name? Why the seemingly superfluous repetition here, in our sedra? What message is the Torah trying to impart to us?
So I offer: Moshe was raised in the palace, surrounded by all the luxury that royalty receives. He left the palace & went to Midian for 6 decades, enjoying a tranquil, calm & pastoral existence. Imagine how hard it must have been to leave those two comfortable places & head into the harsh desert, an uncharted territory fraught with danger, to head to Israel.
And so, as Moshe leaves Palace Paro & Midian far behind, he strengthens himself by repeating – over & over again, like a mantra – "I was a stranger in a strange land. I was a stranger in a strange land. For all of Egypt’s & Midian’s perks & pampering, "I was a stranger there! That was not my land!"
Moshe’s mantra must be ours, too. We must constantly remind ourselves that other venues, no matter how attractive they may seem, are "strange lands," & we are - & forever will be – strangers within them. G-d has given us one, true home, & that must always be our rightful destination.
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts