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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.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
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.