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Beit Midrash
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- Pinchas
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
Rashi cites the idea that the daughters of Tzlofchad are traced back to Yosef, because they followed his love of Eretz Yisrael. It is a little difficult to see their love for the Land. Perhaps it was just a lust for money, which happened to be available in Eretz Yisrael. Let us go on to a question which many commentaries address. Why did the daughters mention that their father had not died with Korach’s group? Were no other sins notably regrettable?
We can suggest that one question answers the other, but first let us ask one more question. The daughters of Tzlofchad implied that their father had died a while previously. Why did the question of inheritance come up only as preparations for dividing the Land were discussed (ibid. 26: 52-56)? Didn’t most Jews leave Egypt and the Red Sea with significant riches, which could be inherited by their children?
Tzlofchad’s daughters may have been stressing to Moshe that they had not been interested in their father’s property until the property in question was a piece of holy real estate in Eretz Yisrael. The Torah spells out that not only were those who were in Korach’s inner circle swallowed up by the earth, but all of their property was, as well (ibid. 16: 32-33). Thus, the daughters may have been telling Moshe that despite the fact that their father had died under circumstances where he left riches behind, they raised the issue only when Eretz Yisrael was involved. This indeed is a sign of love for the Land.
Not only did Tzlofchad’s daughters want the Land specifically, but they did not even want it for their own sake, but to preserve their father’s name (pasuk 4). It sounds a bit melodramatic to say that the daughters would be saving their father’s name by being the ones to inherit his portion. Yet this is evident from a gemara. When one dies without leaving behind a child, the Torah instructs the deceased’s brother to take his wife so that someone can go on the "name" of the deceased (Devarim 25:6). The gemara (Yevamot 24a) derives from a pasuk that the name refers to inheriting his brother, not to what we call naming after someone. Our p’sukim indicate the same thing, as the ability to inherit Tzlofchad was that which preserved his "name."
While people may look far and wide to find a way to make a name for themselves, our parasha teaches that building a family and securing land in Eretz Yisrael are among the most significant means of doing so.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
