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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.
![Bilam [No Nation] and Balak - Dealing with Domestic Strife](/SiteProjects/YeshivaModels/Logic/Images/spriteRszRound.jpg?pic=R-Londin.jpg&cacheVer=54){kind=icon}
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
