YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayigash
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Revital Bat Lea
According to the Targum Yonatan (to Bamidbar 26:46), not only was Serach mentioned in the count of Yaakov’s offspring who came down to Egypt, but she also played a unique role in the family saga. Yaakov’s sons were looking for someone to break the news to him that Yosef was still alive without shocking him. They called upon Serach to do so because of her wisdom. During the census at the end of Bnei Yisrael’s stay in the desert after the Exodus, Serach’s name comes up again. The Ramban confirms that this is the same woman mentioned some 250 years earlier as one of the people who went down to Egypt.
As one who spanned vast, historical eras, during which the family-turned-nation had undergone so much, Serach was able to make further contributions. When Moshe started out on his mission to redeem Bnei Yisrael, he needed to convince the nation to trust him. Yaakov had passed a secret code to Yosef, which would be used by the redeemer. Yosef passed it on to his brothers, and Asher passed it down to Serach. Thus, when Moshe came with the message of "pakod pakadti," Serach informed the nation that he could be trusted (Shemot Rabba 5). Serach’s second contribution at that juncture had to do with a last-minute arrangement needed to facilitate the Exodus. Bnei Yisrael had sworn to Yosef that they would take his remains with them to Eretz Yisrael. As they prepared to leave, they could not locate his coffin. Moshe approached Serach, who recalled that the Egyptians had buried him in a heavy, metal coffin in the Nile. From there, Moshe was able to miraculously extricate Yosef and take him along with the nation (Michelta D’Rashbi 13).
There is a midrash which identifies Serach nearly 500 years later in another critical role. After King David had quelled the rebellion of Avshalom, Sheva ben Bichri began another one. As David’s general, Yoav, pursued him, Sheva "dug himself in" at Avel Beit Ma’acha, near the modern city of Kiryat Shemonah. Instead of waiting for Yoav to storm the city, a wise woman came forward and used negotiation to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. Bereishit Rabba (94) infers from the woman’s choice of words that this was none other than (excuse the pun) good, old Serach. Chazal, in this context, apply the statement in Kohelet: "Wisdom is greater than weapons of battle" (9:18).
Serach, who by that time already was around 700 years old, personifies the concept of special people who were blessed with unusual longevity. Because of her wide-ranging contributions, including those of the period of the Exodus, she also exemplifies the concept: "In the merit of the righteous women of the generation, Bnei Yisrael were redeemed from Egypt" (Sota 11b).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
