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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Shlach Lecha
In advance of sending out the M’raglim to scout the Land of Israel, to discern its strengths and weaknesses, Moshe changes the name of his faithful disciple from Hoshea to Yehoshua, adding a "Yud," so that the first 2 letters spell out the name for Hashem. It also now means, "May you be saved" (from the influence of the other spies).
But was Yehoshua’s name not changed much earlier, when he began to apprentice to Moshe? And why did Moshe reach out to Yehoshua, and not to Calev? And why does the phrase, " V'elah Ha-Shemot, and these are the names (of the spies)" both precede and follow the actual names? In fact, that phrase is entirely unnecessary in the text!
Clearly, the Torah is telling us that names are crucial; they are the key to understanding one’s strength and personality. Indeed, the bestowing of a particular name upon someone has the power to imbue him or her with certain qualities and mystically help and protect him.
Calev, as the pasuk points out, descends from Yehuda & inherits his persona. Yehuda is a lion, unafraid to stand up and speak out when necessary, just as Yehuda stood up to Yosef in Egypt & spoke out in defense of Binyamin; just as Yehuda's future descendant David stood up to and spoke out against Galyat. In fact, "Calev" can be read as "Kelev," a dog, who is always ready to "bark."
But Yehoshua is different; he descends from Yosef. His family DNA is strong on holding back, remaining stoically silent in the most difficult of situations. So Rachel is silent when Yakov marries her sister Leah; Yosef waits patiently to reveal his identity to his brothers; Binyamin does not tell his father that his brothers sold Yosef into slavery; Esther does not reveal, until the last, critical moment, that she is Jewish, etc.
Moshe knows this, and wants to be sure that Yehoshua will NOT hold back in this situation, that he will speak out forcefully against the other spies and positively motivate the nation. And so, to fortify and embolden him, he gives him a name that incorporates Hashem; it is recorded here and now, when it most comes into play.
In the Amida’s Elokai N’tzor, we first ask G-d to help us hold our tongue, to be silent when verbally attacked by our antagonists. But then we suddenly change our posture; we demand that our foes be thwarted. Why the change? Says Rav Zev Leff: We introduced a new sentence, the desire to embrace Torah and Mitzvot ("Open our hearts to Torah; let our souls pursue Your Mitzvot."). While we can remain silent when we are personally confronted, we can never be passive or meek when it is the Torah or Hashem's Mitzvot that are being challenged. And so Moshe fortified Yehoshua, urging him to counter his natural tendency to hold back, and instead rise to the defense of
G-d, Torah and Israel.
That crucial message not only applies to Yehoshua; it is a mandate to each and every one of us.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
