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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
And they answer: Had it been given in the city, some would have said it was applicable only in heavily-populated areas, where people lived near each other and so needed to know how to relate to their fellow-man. Had it been given in a field or open space, then people might have said it was applicable just in agricultural places, since so many Torah laws deal with agriculture. And had it been given either in Israel, or in a foreign country, they might have thought it applied only to Jews or to non-Jews, respectively. By choosing to give the Torah in a wilderness, between Egypt and Israel, neither in a city nor on a farm, it was clear that the Torah was meant for all people everywhere.
But the word "Bamidbar" also contains the letters of "Daber bam," or "speak about them." This not only is a charge to us to speak about the Torah to our families and our communities, it also is a message that our single-greatest asset and talent - "weapon," if you will - is our power of speech. "Life and death," says Shlomo HaMelech in Mishlei (18:21), "are in the power of the tongue."
Indeed, all of Sefer Bamidbar will be centered around language, and speech.
- In Parshat Naso, we will hear the confession of the "Sotah," and the vow of the Nazir. We will also record the Birkat Kohanim as they magnificently bless the people.
- In B'ha'alotcha, the people who missed celebrating Pesach will petition Moshe for a second chance; the nation will begin its complaints against Moshe, and even Miriam and Ahron will speak out against their beloved brother.
- In Sh'lach, the Meraglim scouts will issue their diatribe against conquering the Land of Israel, and Moshe will appeal to Hashem for clemency.
- In Korach, Moshe's cousin will launch a rebellion against Ahron and Moshe, relying mostly upon his oratorical skills to incite the rebels.
- In Chukat, the people will continue their complaining, and Moshe will fail to speak to the rock to bring water, striking it instead. Also, the Song in the Book of Hashem's Wars will be sung.
- In Parshat Balak, Bilaam will attempt to curse Am Yisrael, but 3 times his curses will be turned by Hashem into blessings.
- In Parshat Pinchas, the daughters of Zelofchad will argue for their rightful share in the Land; Moshe will also ask Hashem for a proper successor to be named.
- Parshat Matot is all about vows and oaths, as well as the request by Reuven and Gad to reside east of the Jordan.
- Finally, in Masei, the petition of Zelofchad's daughters is addressed by G-d, who rules in their favor. We rise as one to declare, "Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazeik!"
Sefer Bamidbar will conclude just as we will bentsch the advent of the month of Av. There is no better way to prepare for the difficult days of Av than by guarding our speech, limiting our negative language, and utilizing this great gift of communication we are blessed with, to bring people closer to one another and to Hashem. If we talk the right talk, we'll walk the right walk.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
