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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
Let us try to uncover the disagreement based on the adjacent Torah account. After broad segments of the population complained to Moshe, Moshe turned to Hashem with the request to return his mandate: "I am not able, by myself, to bear the entire nation" (Bamidbar 11:14). Hashem suggested a solution to the problem: gather seventy men to serve as leaders to lighten the load on Moshe Rabbeinu (ibid. 16-17). As the story unfolds, seventy people presented themselves and were filled with the spirit of Hashem. Of them, two (Eldad and Meidad) prophesied publicly in a manner that upset Yehoshua, although Moshe calmed him down (ibid. 26-29). What was the content of their prophecy? The gemara (Sanhedrin 17a) reports that it was: "Moshe will die, and Yehoshua will bring Israel into the Land."
This claim raises a chronological issue, as the decree on Moshe not entering the Land, happened later, when Moshe hit the stone to bring forth water for the people to drink rather than speak to it (Bamidbar 20:7-13). The idea behind what Moshe had done was that he had returned the nation to the period when they were not led by speech, but by physical miracles (see more in Tzofnat Yeshayahu, pp. 198-208).
The gemara (Megilla 18a) famously says: "Mila b’sela, shtika b’trei," which we normally take to mean, that a word is worth a sela (a certain weight of a precious metal), but silence is worth twice as much. However, the Gra applies these words differently – to our topic. Had Moshe said a word (mila) to the rock (sela), the two (Eldad and Meidad) would have remained quiet and not have reported that Moshe would not be entering the Land (as he would have, if not for that sin).
Let us continue along these homiletical lines and point out that Moshe’s wife, Tzipora, was the first to perform "mila b’sela," as she circumcised their son with a rock (Shemot 4:26) and thereby saved Moshe’s life. This allowed him to return to Egypt, liberate the people from there, and present them with the Torah. He merited being the trusted interlocutor between Hashem and the people, and his words are the most firmly believed even in comparison to all the other prophets. Indeed, although Moshe made a mistake by hitting the rock, it is still forbidden to argue with Moshe. This applies to the simple people within the nation, at his time and throughout all the ages, and even to the greatest of leaders, such as Miriam and Aharon.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
