YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
In this unique Parsha – the longest single Sedra in all the Torah – we meet 3 very unique personalities.
The first is the Sotah, a woman suspected by her husband of illicit behavior with another man. She undergoes a rather unusual, elaborate ritual – one which the Rambam says involves the only outright miracle in
Halacha - in order to prove – or disprove – her infidelity.
The second character we encounter is the Nazir. He takes upon himself several extreme restrictions, vowing he will abstain, for at least 30 days, from cutting his hair, drinking or eating any grape products, or coming into
contact with any corpse, including that of a member of his immediate family. At the end of his vow, he brings two korbanot, a Sh’lamim and a Chatat (peace and sin offering).
Finally, we meet the Kohen, who is commanded to bless the nation with the famous Birkat Kohanim, (sometimes known as the Y’varech’cha, the first word of the blessing which comes from Hashem through him).
The obvious question is why does the Kohen’s bracha appears here in Naso? Would it not have been more fitting to place it somewhere in Sefer Vayikra, which is wholly devoted to the Kohanim and their service in the Mishkan?
Clearly, the Torah is making a point, and that is about the beauty and benefit of Balance.
The Sotah represents a person who overstepped his or her boundaries, who ventured too far out of accepted social or moral norms, a person who crossed that invisible line which separates decent from indecent behavior.
The Nazir, conversely, withdraws to a fault, denying himself certain things which remove him from society. With conspicuously long hair (this was pre-Beatles, remember!) and the inability to participate in a l’chaim – or
even join with his family for a funeral – the Nazir crossed the other side of the line, and so (according to many) must bring a sin offering when he finally ends his period of abstinence.
Enter the Kohen, our spiritual guide, to bring balance. The Kohen certainly leads a dignified, spiritual, upstanding life. But he is as much a part of society as he is apart from it! He enjoys meat, and wine; he marries and has
children; he accompanies his family in happy and sad moments. And he reaches out – literally – to join with the larger community. That is the source of the blessing he brings to others, and to himself in turn – just as Hashem
intends for it to be.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
