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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Our parasha is not the first one in which Moshe’s authority was questioned. Eldad and Meidad prophesied publicly, much to Yehoshua’s chagrin. Yet there, Moshe responded that it would be wonderful for there to be more and more prophets (Bamidbar 11:28-29). It is, therefore, somewhat surprising that Moshe reacted so harshly when an important man like Korach (see Bamidbar Rabba 18:3) raised the idea that there should be more sharing of authority in the Israelite hierarchy.
We may need to distinguish between two aspects of Jewish leadership. Torah scholarship is very heavily dependent on accepting the authority of sources and traditions, which are passed down in a chain from previous generations and from leader to leader. This fact gives a tremendous "advantage" to the elders, especially the scholars among them. The younger student has to be willing to make himself subservient to his teachers, those above him in the chain. This phenomenon helps ensure the viability of passing on the tradition, which is especially crucial in the area of halacha. In fact we even have Talmudic statements to the tune that a disciple is not allowed to say anything that he did not hear from his teachers. Serving an elder master, in the intellectual meaning of the term, is a crucial condition to being able to receive permission to someday rule on matters himself.
Prophecy is very different than the transmission of Torah traditions. Firstly, it is very individual. Prophecy was never given to a group. Rather, it is the word of Hashem, which He decides to expose a holy man to. It is so personal that the Rabbis say, "two prophets do not prophesy in one style." The path to attaining prophecy apparently is a personal one of searching and self-attainment in the areas of purity, which brings holiness, which then brings Divine spirit. There is no guarantee that one who follows a tradition of prophets will reach prophecy. To the contrary, prophecy deals with the new and the renewing, not in the old and the static. Thus, Eldad and Meidad’s prophecy, without Moshe’s authorization or permission, did not threaten the tradition of Torah leadership, which ran through Moshe and which was so basic to the survival of Judaism. In contrast, Korach’s challenge to Moshe’s authority did.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
