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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.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.