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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.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
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
