YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The p’sukim say: "Og, King of Bashan, went out toward them, he, and all of his nation for battle at Edre’i. Hashem said to Moshe: ‘Do not fear him.’" Note that while the Torah stresses Og’s whole army, when it comes to saying not to be afraid, only Og is mentioned. Let’s take a look at Og’s accomplishments. He survived the flood but certainly did not prevent it. He survived the battle against the four kings but was not among the victors (see Rashi, ibid.). The Torah (Devarim 3:11) describes him as the sole survivor of the Refaim. Despite his formidable size, the thing that he is most known for is surviving, not winning.
We can suggest that this is precisely what Moshe feared. Yes, he and Bnei Yisrael would survive Og. But as Moshe was about to leave the stage of history and leave Bnei Yisrael in other hands, the question was whether they were ready to continue with the right attitude. If Og were to have lost but escaped one more time, Bnei Yisrael would have had the feeling that Og was invincible. He would always be there, ready to win the next time, when they did not have Moshe there with them to fight and lead.
We see over and over, even during the period of Moshe’s leadership, that Bnei Yisrael got themselves into the deepest trouble when they lacked confidence in themselves. This quickly turned into a lack of confidence in Hashem’s ability to help them. It happened with the spies. Fortunately, it did not happen when Amalek attacked. How does the Torah describe their success, through Moshe’s upraised hands? "His hands were belief until the sun set" (Shemot 17:12). They needed the spiritually-based confidence that Moshe helped provide, that with the right dedication, they would prevail.
Certainly, it is crucial to have the merit that enables one to receive the Divine assistance that brings all different types of success. Yet we see that merit alone is insufficient. If the nation lacks the confidence that it can succeed, with Hashem’s help, or believes that there is a power that they cannot overcome, then the risk that lack of confidence will bring lack of faith in Hashem remains.
May Hashem give us the wisdom to know what we, His nation, are capable of achieving, with His help, physically and spiritually.
Peninei Halakha 5. Weddings and Engagements during the Omer Period
Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.