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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
In the most recent generations, this period corresponds to another area of uplifting – on a national level. We have gone from destruction to rebuilding, and from enslavement to independence and national success. We went from a partition plan with borders that "choked" us in 1947 to the great victories of 1967 and 1973. We went from a situation where in 1948 seven countries mercilessly attacked the only Jewish state in the world to the point where many of those nations no longer threaten us.
There are two terms that accompany us in the beginning of Sefer Bamidbar. Parashat Bamidbar is always read before Shavuot, and Parashat Naso is always read after it. These two parshiyot are replete with the terms "pakod" and "naso." On one level, each of the words means to count, and this is very appropriate for a sefer that Chazal called "Sefer Hapekudim," the Book of Countings.
These terms also are important between Pesach and Shavuot. Bamidbar starts with the command: "Raise the heads of the entire congregation of Israel." The terms "p’kod" (count) and "raise their heads," which are basically synonyms, are brought together several times (see Bamidbar 1:49).
In addition to "raising the head" referring to counting, it also can mean to appoint to a position of power, as happened to the sar hamashkim in Egypt (see Bereishit 40:20 with Unkelus and Rashi). The root pakod can also refer, in addition to counting, to the appointment of officers, as Yosef did for the Land of Egypt (Bereishit 41:34). It can also refer to selecting a punishment, as Hashem said he would do over history due to the sin of the Golden Calf (Shemot 32:34). Yet the same word pakod is used to announce the liberation (Bereishit 50:24).
Naso is used also as an expression of forgiveness and atonement ("noseh avon vafesha" – Shemot 34:7). On the other hand, Hoshea (1:6) uses the root to say that He will stop forgiving and start punishing them. Rashi explains that He will distribute to them that which is coming to them, in this case, for the negative. Radak explains it, that Hashem will lift up the enemies to bring them upon us.
Indeed, the idea of counting also has a two-edged sword. It can be an uplifting event in preparation for the entrance into Eretz Yisrael. If it is done in the wrong way and/or for the wrong reason, it can be the cause of a plague (Shemot 30:12).
Let us pray that we will experience pekida and nesi’at rosh in the positive senses of the terms. May we be elevated day-by-day until we are ready to fulfill our special standing in regard to our Torah and our Land.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
