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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).
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat 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: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
