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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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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.
