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Beit Midrash
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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.
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
