YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Matot
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Masei
The Torah discusses the sacred obligation to fulfill our vows and oaths; the war fought against Midian (wherein Bilam the Rasha is killed); the saga of Reuven, Gad and half the tribe of Menashe’s petition to Moshe to live in trans-Jordan; the delineation of the borders of Israel; and
the institution of the Cities of Refuge.
But there is another subject quietly tucked away into these 244 p’sukim, an item which I find to be most peculiar and most incongruous: the halachot of koshering utensils. After the battle with Midian, Israel takes possession of numerous pots, pans, etc. that must be "purged" of their non-kosher taste, and so we are instructed about the laws of hagala (immersion in boiling water); libun (passing the items through fire) and
dipping them in a mikva - all forms of ritual purification.
Granted, these laws are important, and they are followed to this very day. But why would they be stated davka HERE, rather than in sections of the Torah that deal with pure halacha, like Mishpatim, Kedoshim, or parshat Ki Tetze?
To answer, let me recount a seminal incident in my life.
The entire student body of our Yeshiva (Skokie) was told to gather in the auditorium for a special assembly. The dean of the Yeshiva, Dr. Yosef Babad, then addressed us. A prominent scholar from a rabbinic dynasty, I had never seen him so emotional as he spoke these words to us:
"Bochurim," he said, "each and every year when we come to the reading of Matot-Masei, I tremble. In my mind's eye, I see Moshe shaking his finger in rebuke at Reuven, Gad and Menashe, and his caustic words rattle my very soul:
‘Shall your brothers go out to battle & you will sit here?!’
And I know that he is speaking directly to me, asking me why I stay in Galut while others fight the battles of Hashem in our holy land. But no more. Although I have tarried far too long, and am no longer a youngster, I am now finally coming home, making Aliya, joining my brothers & sisters in Israel. And now, my neshama will be cleansed."
The laws of koshering, you see, are about more than dishes and silverware. They actually embody every subject in our sedra: They are about keeping our sacred vows; they are about fighting the most difficult of internal battles; they are about leaving Cities of Refuge for our true home; they are about crossing borders and going back to the place we belong. Mostly, they are about purging the imperfections within us,
purifying our souls and returning them to their pristine state.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
