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Beit Midrash
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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.
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.