YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Tetzave
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Simha bat Hana
What made Aharon’s lack of jealousy so laudable that it warranted such a reward? Rav Neventzal, in his sichot, shows that even for a person of Aharon’s moral stature, erasing feelings of self-interest is special. When Moshe doubted Bnei Yisrael’s belief in redemption, Hashem took him to task, giving him (short-lived) leprosy (ibid.:16 & Shabbat 97a). Yet, when Moshe feared that Aharon would be jealous, he was reassured, not rebuked.We see, says R. Neventzal, that Moshe had reason to expect that Aharon would be somewhat sad when losing part of his stature. In truth, before dying, Aharon was rewarded to see his honor transferred to his son (Bamidbar 20:28), so some personal or family pride must have had a place in even his pure heart.
We should remember that even great people are human. Chazal’s comment that one should love Hashem with both inclinations, even the evil one (see Rashi on Devarim 6:4), applies even to the righteous. A person’s greatness is not to lack ambitions but to channel them to noble causes. Without ambitions, it would require superhuman strength of character to succeed. Hashem asks us to strive to be the best that we can humanly be, not to be angels. Aharon was the prototype of a rav who was similar to an angel (see Moed Kattan 17a). That is an achievement to be marveled at, not taken for granted. Aharon was deeply happy in his heart for Moshe not because he couldn’t care less if he (or his sons) would merit significant greatness, but because he trained himself to be happy for others, as well.
By saying that the choshen mishpat was a reward for Aharon’s unusual good-heartedness, we imply that someone else would otherwise have been Kohen Gadol. Indeed, Moshe was originally slated for the job but lost it to Aharon (Zevachim 102a). How hard it must have been to lose that sacred role! Actually, since Aharon showed his brother how to be fully happy in one’s heart for another’s gain, even at one’s own "expense," it was easier for Moshe to overcome the human tendency toward disappointment.
We should expect one who has been passed over for some important role or happy tiding to feel some pain, and we should be sensitive to it. Our Maker made us all human. We should appreciate when the slighted person deals with the situation maturely and positively. This will also make it easier for us to be fully happy for him when Divine Providence improves their lot.
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)
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.
