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Beit Midrash
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Though we can answer this in a number of ways, let us adopt one approach. Since the miracle of striking the rock had already occurred & was well known, its repetition, despite the passage of 40 years, would not have had such a great impact. Thus there was a need for a different miracle.
This principle I learned from the Meshech Chochmah in a different context – that of Splitting the Reed Sea. The Midrash says that in the future G-d will perform more miracles for Israel in the World to Come than He did at the Splitting of the Reed Sea. The Meshech Chochmah is puzzled – were the latter miracles insufficient ? He answers that after the Israelites had seen these miracles, there was a need for greater miracles to arouse their wonder. He gives the example of the telegraph, explaining that once people became accustomed to it, they weren’t all that impressed with the telephone which followed it.
The Mechilta at the end of Chapter11 comments on (HaShem) does wonders. He did wonders for the fathers and in the future will do so for the children, as it says "As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt, I will show him wondrous deeds.’ (Micah 7:15) – I will show him what I did not show the fathers. A wonder – a miracle- means something which boggles the mind, which a person cannot credit until he sees it with his own eyes. Thus with the invention of the telegraph – it amazed the beholders’ imagination. It was indeed a wonder. Afterwards, with the invention of the telephone, which required far greater expertise, people were not as amazed as they had been with the telegraph.
So, with the miracle of the Sea Splitting and the wonders of the Manna and the Slav, everyone was amazed. The Navi now says that since the splitting of the Sea and the Manna were already known as the fathers had them, in the future G-d will do things which will awe the children anew. Then the Sea splitting and the Manna will be like the natural order. Thus afterwards there will be no comparison between what the fathers saw with what the children will see. From my grandfather Harav Chananya Zt"l.
And so too in our Parasha. The miracle of bringing forth water by striking the rock was indeed most impressive, but after the Children of Israel saw this miracle, they were not so amazed when it repeated itself again. So there was a need for a greater miracle – one of speech.
We experience so many miracles, so much Divine goodness in so many things, we often fail to appreciate the enormity of the salvation which G-d brings us, all the time. Occasionally we need to go back and observe, to feel all of G-d’s kindness "For Your wonders and favors are with us in every season" and from observing G-d’s kindness, we will always remember "It is good to thank G-d".
Chukat Jewish Art – The Positive and Halachic Care
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: #158 – part II
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.