YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Is there a connection between wars and days of joy? Also, what is this day of happiness, if the yamim tovim are referred to with the next word? The Sifrei (Bamidbar 77) brings two opinions: Shabbat (during the time of the Shabbat offerings); the daily set offerings. The Ibn Ezra explains that the trumpet blasts that were done on Shabbat during the offerings made the people concentrate on their connection to Hashem.
The opinion that the pasuk is referring to Shabbat provides a source for the explanation of the special part of chazarat hashatz of Shacharit of Shabbat which begins, "Those who observe Shabbat shall rejoice in Your Kingdom." One of the zemirot of Shabbat that the Ibn Ezra wrote (Ki Eshmera Shabbat), states: "For it is a day of joy," consistent with his explanation here.
The two opinions in the midrash may disagree as to whether a holy day can also be considered a day of joy. This may depend if kedusha, which often refers to refraining from pleasures, can be consistent with joy. We do find: "Go and eat in joy your bread and drink with a good heart your wine, for Hashem has already accepted your actions" (Kohelet 9:7). (The idea of eating bread in joy had deep significance, but it is beyond our scope.)
There are halachic implications of Shabbat being a day of joy. The Manhig says that we refrain from Tachanun at Mincha before Shabbat because Shabbat is a day of simcha. The Maharil says that if Shabbat is defined as a day of simcha, one should not fast due to a frightening dream on Shabbat (see also Tzitz Eliezer VII:25). The Ibn Ezra adds: "… Therefore to fast based on the wise men is forbidden except for the day of the atonement of my sin."
Ibn Ezra cites another explanation that is strongly anchored in the p’sukim, which is very significant in our generation of the nation’s reawakening. He suggests that the two p’sukim regarding the trumpets are connected in the following way. After going to war, including the blowing of the trumpets, when we are victorious we are to celebrate our day of joy for our success in the manner of Purim. During the course of more than 2,000 years, such a scenario did not occur. However, in our times, after military victories in which we were saved, this serves as one more source for the need to celebrate, as we do on Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim. There is an additional hint for such a direction from the Rokeach, who points out that there are twenty words in the second pasuk, like the number of words in the beracha of Shemoneh Esrei about the great shofar announcing the ingathering of the exiles.
Let us pray that increasing parts of our nation will recognize that it is both an obligation and a wonderful opportunity to thank Hashem for the goodness He has bestowed us with, individually and nationally. Through this, we should merit to see and rejoice in further steps of our liberation.
Parashat Hashavua “It Was as the Ark Traveled”
(from speech at a hachnasat sefer Torah, 1987) based on Siach Shaul, p. 374-
Shoftim Can a Sheitel be Prohibited Because of Avodah Zarah?
A Background Discussion about the use of Indian Hair
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
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.
