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Beit Midrash
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In Parashat Shemot, the Torah describes the staff with which Moshe would later hit the rock as follows: "This staff you shall take in your hand, and with it you shall do the signs (ottot)" (Shemot 4:17). Let us take a look at various places where the word ott is used.
There are a small number of mitzvot that are known as ottot. One of them is brit mila, which is a sign of the covenant between Hashem and the offspring of Avraham (Bereishit 17:11). Hashem said to Moshe after showing him the burning bush: "…I will be with you, and this will be for you the ott" (Shemot 3:3,12). Tefillin are also called an ott on one’s arms, as well as a remembrance on one’s head (Shemot 13:9). We find regarding Shabbat: "Just, you shall observe my Shabbat, for it is an ott between Me and you for your generations to know that I am Hashem who sanctifies you" (Shemot 31:13 – this pasuk appears after the giving of the Torah, but the mitzva was given already at Marah and likely, at least on some level, in Egypt). Finally, we note that the blood that was put on the houses of the Jews to keep the "destroyer" away when the firstborn Egyptians were being killed was called an ott(Shemot 12:13).
That which the entire list shares is that they all relate to the time that precedes the giving of the Torah. Chazal classify this period as "before the dibbur (speech)" (see Chagiga 6a with Rashi). This is, of course, referring to the hearing of Hashem speaking to the people at the revelation at Sinai.
We now have enough background to present an answer to our question about the change in policy toward hitting the rock. The first time, in Parashat Beshalach, was before matan Torah – in the period ofottot (physical signs) rather than dibbur (speech). At that time, using the staff to hit the rock was perfectly fine. After matan Torah, Bnei Yisrael’s leaders were not supposed to use the staff in that way. Only speech was permitted for the miracle at hand.
Let us pray that we will merit listening to divine speech and always knowing how to properly fulfill the word of Hashem.
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part II
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
Parashat Hashavua Happiness for the Right Reasons
[With painful longing, we share these divrei Torah from our co-Rosh Kollel for close to 40 years, Harav Moshe Ehrenreich zt”l.]
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
