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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
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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.