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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
searching for the dark cloud. The Gemara says: What is the definition of a faithless person? He who has bread in his basket yet still asks, "What will I eat tomorrow?"
Our sedra is popularly known as Parshat Ha-Mit’on’nim (or Ha-Mit’Lon’nim) the "Chapter of the Complainers." We grouse about the lack of fresh meat, the lack of water, about having left Egypt (it was such a Paradise?!); about the new sexual restrictions given at Sinai; even about the miraculous Mahn that fell at our doorstep daily and which contained virtually every taste within it. Later, Moshe himself would be the target of criticism – this time by his own brother and sister! Moshe becomes extremely despondent – even suicidal! (see 11:15) - and Hashem’s anger "flares like a fire."
But hang on, let’s backtrack for a moment. Before all this whining started, earlier in the sedra, the people lodge yet another complaint that engenders a markedly different response from both Moshe and the Almighty.
A group of people – either those who had carried Yosef’s casket out of Egypt, or had attended to an unburied corpse – had been prevented from offering the Pesach sacrifice in its proper time due to their being spiritually-impure (tamei). So they petition Moshe: "Why should we be diminished ("nigara") by having to miss out on this very special Mitzva given to all Israel!?"
Moshe reacts calmly: "Let’s hear what Hashem has to say on this." And G-d answers positively, by adding a new law and a new semi-holiday to Jewish life – Pesach Sheni. What is the difference between this complaint and the other?
The answer is clear. Hashem wants us to lead and live meaningful, satisfying lives. But that is not something we achieve through material means. Richer food, bigger houses, more and more "creature comforts" will not satisfy
our souls and validate our existence. And so when we complain about those kind of things, G-d is disappointed in us and clearly not pleased with our choice of priorities.
But when we speak out about the spiritual things being denied to us – Mitzvot, Torah learning, Chesed, etc. - that is constructive criticism, and strikes a responsive chord in Heaven. It moves G-d to help us in any way He can, and allows us to construct and to build a better – and truly richer - Jewish life.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.