YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Matot
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Hashem commanded Moshe: "Take the retribution of Bnei Yisrael from the Midianites, and then you will pass away" (Bamidbar 31:2). Before Moshe was to die and leave the nation, he was to carry out revenge for the actions surrounding Ba’al Peor. What was Moshe’s strength that made his participation important?
The midrash (Midrash Tannaim to Devarim 33:28) says: "It is not like the badad (alone) that Bilam said – "They are a nation that dwells alone" (Bamidbar 23:9) and not like the badad that Yirmiya said – "Alone I sat" (Yirmiya 15:17), but like that which Moshe said – "Hashem will lead them alone" (Devarim 32:12).
Bilam came with a claim and explained the Israelite exclusionism as follows: "Among the nations, they will not be considered." The nations stay away from Bnei Yisrael. If the nations embrace them, they will lose their uniqueness. It is not like Yirmiya’s aloneness either. "Because of Your hand [against me], I sat alone" (Yirmiya 15:17). We do not want an aloneness that is rooted in sadness and depression.
It was necessary to show the Midianites that we also have the ability to use strength. The behavior that the nations display and we do not is not because we are incapable but because we do not wish to act that way. However, we have no choice but to respond with force to those who rise up against us with treachery. This is the idea that Moshe wanted to entrench within the mindset of the nation.
The same was true in regard to Amalek. They came upon us in combat, and we were commanded to "to erase the memory of Amalek" (Devarim 25:19). However, this was only when our ability to use power was intact. After the Temple was destroyed, we only mention Hashem’s promise that He will erase them (Shemot 17:14). When we do not have the ability to act ourselves, we leave it up to Hashem. We realize that in the final analysis, it is Hashem’s vengeance that needs to be taken. Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon said before his death: "If I were burnt by myself, it would be hard for me; now that I was burnt along with a sefer Torah, He who will take issue with the disgrace of the Torah, will take issue with my disgrace" (Avoda Zara 18a).
In the haftara, we read: "Sacred is Israel to Hashem, the beginning of His produce; he who devours them will be blamed" (Yirmiya 2:3). Even tithes (which reishit – the beginning – hints at) that are defiled are still considered holy, and non-kohanim who eat them are guilty. We live with this realization. If Moshe warned "and among the nations you will not find tranquility" (Devarim 28:65), Yirmiya said: "Going toward tranquility for Israel" (31:1). Indeed we are a "nation that is a survivor of the sword" (ibid.). Every day the sword devours, and every day has its sacrifice and its torment. But as a nation, we are survivors. "From a distance Hashem was seen to me, yet an eternal love I have loved you" (Ibid. 2). It is from a distance – the distant past and the distant future, but we survive because of the strength we extract from these distant times.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
