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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Matot
We mentioned that Ephrayim was the head of one quarter of the encampment in the desert. Actually, their special position was maintained in Eretz Yisrael, in that they were closest to the Tribe of Binaymin in whose portion the Beit Hamikdash was found. Despite this fact, the people of Menashe did not accept the prominence of the Tribe of Ephrayim.
When Bnei Yisrael conquered the area of the Gilad on the east bank of the Jordan and the Tribe of Menashe received it as their portion before the rest of Bnei Yisrael conquered the Land of Cana’an, the Sons of Menashe felt that they had "a leg up" on Ephrayim. This was especially true of the family of Machir, children of Menashe from an Aramite concubine (see last week), who were the main ones to inhabit that area. The spiritual problem with this approach is that it gave more importance to the land east of the Jordan, even though it was not part of Eretz Yisrael proper. This issue arose again at the end of Sefer Yehoshua when the tribes of the East Bank built an altar on the border.
The daughters of Tzelafchod were granddaughters of Chefer, the son of Gilad, the oldest son of Machir. Thus, the natural place for the family plot was on the East Bank, with the rest of the Machir family. In the description of the daughters of Tzelofchad story in Yeshoshua (17:4-7), the implication is that they made a specific issue of asking for their portion to be in Eretz Yisrael proper. By their love of Eretz Yisrael, these special women made up for the lack of respect that the rest of their brethren showed.
This helps us appreciate the midrash (Bamidbar Rabba, Pinchas 21:10). The midrash states that the women had much more love and dedication for Eretz Yisrael than the men did. That is why the men died out in the desert and the women entered the Land. The midrash goes on to say that because of this great love of the Land, the daughters of Tzelofchad were actually given two plots of land – one in the east with their cousins and one in the west, where they requested their portion.
This is one more indication of the regard we should have for the daughters of Israel, who showed their love for the Land and were recognized and rewarded for it by Hashem.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
