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Beit Midrash
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Hashem tries to reassure Moshe by revealing the end of the story, telling him straight away that it will all turn out well. "I will rescue and redeem you; take you out of Egypt and into Israel," He promioses. You’d think that this would buoy Moshe up. And yet, even after hearing the good news, Moshe says: "If the Jewish People will not listen to me, then how can I, of ‘uncircumcised lips,’ possibly convince Paro?!"
Interestingly, G-d does not answer Moshe’s question directly. It could very well be that Moshe was speaking rhetorically, addressing not Hashem, but himself. He is humble – perhaps even to a fault - and so he doubts his own greatness, his ability to accomplish this most challenging of missions. He may also fear that as a prince of Egypt, the Israelites may look upon him not as a brother, a fellow Jew, but as "one of them," an agent of the Pharoah.
And so Hashem wisely addresses both these concerns by breaking into the narrative of the story and chronicling the lineage of Moshe. The next 13 p’sukim review just where Moshe comes from him, with specific emphasis on
the Tribe of Levi. By doing this, G-d is telling Moshe: "Do you think that your royal bearing derives from your connection to Batya and Paro?! No, you are indeed a prince, but not by virtue of Egypt! You are a Jewish prince! You are the offspring of the Avot and Imahot; you come from Levi, the spiritual center of the nation. That is who you are; you belong to the nation, and the nation belongs to you."
It is not by coincidence that Moshe keeps referring to "uncircumcised lips." A Brit/ circumcision, is the primary link between the generations. Indeed, say Chazal, it is only when a father brings his own son to be circumcised
that he affirms the brit that was once performed on him, when he was a baby, and so had no say in the matter. Therefore it is davka at the brit when, by tradition, the child’s name is given, further linking this newest member of our people to those who came before him.
It is also not by coincidence that we refer to Jewish circumcision by the term "Brit MILA." The word "mila," of course, also can mean "word." Our word is our bond; we declared from the very moment of our birth as a people that we would be loyal to Hashem, and He gave us his word that He would stand by us throughout history, come what may. It is this bond which strengthens Moshe; he now approaches Paro not as merely one, lone individual, but with a whole nation standing behind him.
So it is with the Jewish People; we are One continuum from Avraham to Moshiach - and beyond. So when we make national decisions, we must factor in our ancestors as well as our descendants. And when we face crises, we know that we never face them alone. That, and Hashem's promise to take us to our final destiny, is the real secret behind our strength and survival.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts