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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
Later, we read of the death of Miriam, in whose merit the nation received Mayim Chayim, pure water, throughout the many years in the desert. Then Moshe & Ahron are punished at Mei M’riva. When Moshe strikes the rock, he angers Hashem (who had ordered him to speak to the rock), resulting in the demise of Moshe’s dream to enter Eretz Yisrael along with the nation. Finally, Ahron dies on Rosh Chodesh Av. A cloud of gloom, it seems, envelops this Sedra.
But another incident, later in the parsha, starts to bring life back to Am Yisrael. The people again complain; lamenting that there is a shortage of food & water, even expressing dissatisfaction with the Mahn, which they call, "Lechem Ha’k’lo’kayl," the bread that spoils (after 1 day). In response, G-d sends "fiery serpents" which bite & kill many people. They then ask Moshe to pray for them & save them, & he erects a pole with a copper snake atop it; all who look upon the snake are miraculously cured.
What exactly is going on here? How can one snake cure the bite of another? What was the nature of the people’s problem, & how could a snake – of all creatures – solve it?
I suggest the following: The snake is, literally, the lowest of all creatures. It represents the low self-esteem from which the nation suffered, perhaps as a lingering effect of their many years in slavery. The cure for low self-esteem is forming a connection to Hashem, who created us & whose faith in us gives our lives meaning, purpose & pride.
When the people looked up towards the copper snake, towards the Heavens, they again sensed their bond with G-d, thus restoring their sense of self-value as a Chosen People.
Furthermore, the nachash convinced Chava to sin in Gan Eden by pushing her into the tree of knowledge, by "pushing" her away from Hashem. Once she & Adam sinned, they became ashamed, their self-esteem was shattered and their "glow" diminished. Sin causes us to lower our heads in shame; but obeying G-d lifts up our gaze in confidence & heightens our stature.
The people asked Moshe: "V’yasar may’aleynu et hanachash," remove "the snake" from inside us. Just as one is injected with the flu virus in order to overcome it; just as the ashes of a dead cow serve to restore life back to a tainted person, so focusing on the disease - the serpent of low self-esteem - can help to overcome it & provide spiritual healing.
Chukat Jewish Art – The Positive and Halachic Care
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: #158 – part II
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.