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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."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.