YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
The answer can be found, quite simply, in the first two words of the sedra, "Vayikach Korach – and Korach took." But what did he take; the pasuk never tells us!
Some want to say he took other rebels along with him; or that he took his life & legacy & destroyed it, etc. But I suggest that the words speak for themselves: "Korach took" – Korach was a taker! Whatever he could take, he took: Money, power, fame. It was never enough, for once you become a taker, there is no end to it, you can’t stop. You just keep taking & taking, beyond all reason & rationale.
But Levi’im are not meant to be takers - they are givers. They devote themselves selflessly to the people, to the nation, to Hashem. They are the spiritual leaders, the conduit for the offerings, the lifeline to G-d. And so when Korach abdicated his role & became a taker, Hashem took it all away from him – his money, his family, his life.
And now on to Chukat. This is a sedra that is centered around Death. Miriam dies. Ahron dies. Moshe is given his "death sentence" after he strikes the rock. And of course, the opening section deals with the Para Aduma, the red heifer which is killed & whose ashes purify those who come into contact with the dead.
All these items fall under the general category of "Chukat" or "Chok," laws & phenomenon that are mysterious, unknowable, inscrutable. And Death is most paramount among them. Why did Hashem create Life – be it in animal, vegetable or human beings - if all are destined to die? Is this not cruel? Knowing that from the moment we are born we have an incurable illness – it’s called "Life!" – can surely lead to sadness, depression, melancholy, existentialism.
But the Para Aduma ritual comes to teach us that there are cycles of life and rebirth. The cow dies, but its ashes give spiritual life to others. Ahron dies, but the Kohanim he produced live on. Moshe dies, but his Torah is eternally true, a Torat Chayim; in short, we live beyond ourselves.
This Shabbat is the 25th anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s death. But, truth be told, the Rebbe is not "dead." For as long as his Torah is spread, as long as his emissaries carry out his mission, & the values he espoused emanate throughout the world, he lives on in the purest sense. Tzadikim b’mitatan k’ruim Chayim; the righteous, even in death, are called "Chayim."
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
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.
