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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Balak
So let’s try to make some sense of this quandary, & consult one of the greatest minds in history – Einstein! Among the many "teachings" of Einsten was the principle that "energy is neither created nor destroyed" in the Universe. That is, there is a finite amount of energy that exists in our world; if it leaves one place, it will, by necessity, have to re-appear somewhere else.
Both Balak & Korach (& Bilaam, too, for that matter) were filled with an abundance of energy. They could have used that energy in any number of ways – positive or negative. Their potential was limitless & they had powerful talents at their disposal. All three of them were gifted speakers: charismatic, bright & ambitious. Used wisely, their abilities could have earned them lasting fame – rather than infamy - & abundant personal reward, rather than the ignominious fate which all three suffered. But, alas, they misused their gifts & ended up as villains, rather than heroes. Their energy was inner-directed & selfish, rather than outer-directed & giving.
Yet the energy they possessed did not vanish forever; it simply resurfaced in another place & time & form. In the case of Korach, it would emerge in his children, who wrote beautiful songs & Psalms, complementing – perhaps even completing – the majestic music of David HaMelech, the sweet singer of Israel. In Balak’s case, his nobility would be expressed by Ruth HaMoavia, whose passion for Am Yisrael & Eretz Yisrael would be the "missing link" in the Davidic chain & the lineage of Moshiach. And as for Bilam, his words would grace our daily prayers & provide potent prophecy for the end of days, a vehicle for Hashem’s will to be known.
Sadly, neither Korach, Balak or Bilaam would enjoy the fruits of their labor. But their names are immortalized to remind us that life is about choices, about making the right decision as to how to utilize that G-d-given energy within each of us. The choice we make will ultimately determine whether we emerge as king or criminal, Levi or lout, seer or sorcerer. May G-d help us to always choose wisely.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
