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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
Our Sedra ends with a bizarre encounter between Og, the giant-warrior king of Bashan, & Moshe. Og has a fascinating history of survival: He was one of the Nefilim ("fallen angels," see Rashi BR: 14:13) who miraculously survived the flood by hanging onto the side of the Ark. Though his name ties for the shortest in all the Torah, he lived one of the longest lives – more than 500 years!
But why was Moshe so scared of Og? Moshe, too, was a fierce warrior, & he had just recently defeated the Cheshbon army, which was led by Sichon, another fearsome figure.
Rashi (21:34) explains that 500 years earlier, Og had done a favor for Avraham. In the battle of the 4 Kings vs. the 5 Kings (in Lech-Lecha), the city of S’dom had been captured, & with it, Avraham’s nephew Lot. Og, who had somehow survived that battle, too, came to Avraham to tell him of Lot’s fate. Avraham then joined the fight, turned the tide of the war, & rescued Lot. Moshe was afraid that the merit of this kindness done to Avraham would stand for Og & perhaps render him invincible. And so Hashem has to reassure Moshe that he would indeed emerge victorious.
Reasonable enough. But there is a tantalizing twist to this story: Rashi recounts that Og had a sinister, hidden agenda; he desired Sara – one of history’s most beautiful women (see Megila 15) - & hoped that Avraham would fall in battle, thus freeing Sara for him to take! So why give Og so much credit for breaking the news to Avraham?
The Torah is trying to teach us that every act of kindness, every favor that we do for another person – even if that act was done for a selfish reason - carries an immense reward & merit. Even if that act took place centuries ago, it will be "filed" in G-d’s eternal records & it will someday be recompensed in full or greater measure.
In August 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was placed under house arrest in an abortive coup led by members of his own party. Three years prior, Gorbachev had surprisingly ushered in Glasnost ("openness") and eased restrictions of the USSR’s basic freedoms, allowing for the emigration for Soviet Jews. The first person to come see him was the late Elie Wiesel. Astonished, Gorbachev asked why he had come. Wiesel said simply, "We Jews never forget a goodness that is done for us."
And neither does Hashem. Never, ever.
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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.
