YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
The Torah writes: "Make two silver trumpets, and they shall be for calling the congregation and moving the encampment … When a war will come to your land … you will blow the trumpets, and you will be remembered before Hashem and be saved from your enemies. And on your happy day, your holidays and your new months, you shall blow the trumpets over your sacrifices … and it will be a remembrance for you before Hashem" (Bamidbar 10:1-10).
Let us take a closer look at the three purposes of the trumpets. The first is a sign of leadership. It is obvious that a political leader needs to use symbols to demonstrate that he is chosen among the people and has many elements of power. Rashi cites Chazal that they would blow the trumpets before Moshe like a king. On the other hand, the Midrash says that the trumpets were made of silver, and not gold, because Hashem "wants to spare the money of Israel" (Midrash Aggada, B’ha’alotcha 10). Public funds should indeed be spent carefully even when being spent on a proper cause. The gemara (Yoma 3b) says that the silver used had been owned by the leader. Although this opinion is not accepted, it is still telling as to the high moral level desired of the leadership in relation to finances.
We saw also that a teruah was blown when there was danger from the enemy. The word teruah is taken from the word for broken. Therefore, on Rosh Hashana we also blow both a shevarim (big breaks) and teruah (smaller breaks). Such broken and up-and-down blasts have always been the sound of a siren, warning of various dangers. The sound that comes out at such times is also there to call out for moral contemplation and warning against arrogance and complacency, which can bring on calamities.
The trumpets were also used to sound the sound of joy at happy and successful times, using it to express gratitude to Hashem. Ibn Ezra says that the "day of joy" refers to "returning from the land of the enemy, or when you defeat the enemy who attacked you, and you set a holiday like Purim and Chanuka."
After 2,000 years of not having the opportunity for such celebrations, our generation had the z’chut of experiencing the ingathering of exiles from the lands of the enemy. So many years had gone by since the last military victories, and indeed we witnessed unprecedented victories by the standards of any nation. Let us pray that we will merit leadership, who might deserve the outward signs of its dominion but is careful to minimize them due to concern for the public purse. We should be careful of the dangers of sin and conceit. We should also remember to use the tools we have to thank Hashem for the great miracles with which He has blessed us.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.