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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
A. Moshe sent messengers to the King of Edom, asking for permission to traverse his land; the request was adamantly rejected (Bamidbar 20:14-21). Hashem commanded Bnei Yisrael not to start up with Edom, and so they went around their land and arrived at the border of Moav, the Arnon Stream (Devarim 2:1-9).
B. At the border of Moav, Bnei Yisrael were commanded not to fight with Moav (Devarim 2:17-23).
C. Next, Moshe was warned not to start up with Amon either (ibid. 19).
D. Moshe called out to Sichon in peace to allow Bnei Yisrael to pass through their land. Sichon massed his troops, and Moshe leads a successful battle against Sichon and took his land, while staying away from the land of Moav and Amon (Bamidbar 21:21-25).
E. The Torah quotes the Song of "the Moshlim," which mentions Moav’s loss in battle to Sichon (Bamidbar 21:27-30).
F. Balak tried to hire Bilam to curse Bnei Yisrael (ibid. 22:2-24:25).
G. The daughters of Moav and Midian caused members of Bnei Yisrael to sin in Shittim. Moshe was commanded to take revenge against Midian (ibid. 25:1-9; ibid.16-18).
H. The daughters of Tzlofchad firmly attempted to hold on to the inheritance of land in Eretz Yisrael due to their father (ibid. 27:1-11).
I. Moshe sent representatives of each of the tribes to take revenge against the Midianites, including killing Bilam (ibid. 31:1-8).
J. The tribes of Gad and Reuven requested to receive their portion of land in the area of Gilead, on the eastern side of the Jordan (ibid. 32:1-32).
K. Half of the tribe of Menashe also received a portion in the land on the eastern side of the Jordan (ibid. 32:40-42).
As a means of introduction, we will look at the word moshlim, who are the people who make declarations about the cities of Sichon and their battles. In Modern Hebrew this can mean rulers, such as governors, and also can refer to writers of metaphors. Certainly these cannot be the full meanings of the word here, because then these people would not need to be highlighted in our holy Torah. We suggest that they were highly spiritual people, with some having divine inspiration and some of them being close to prophecy. One of them was actually a great prophet, who might have even been on the level of prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu – Bilam the Sorcerer (see Sifrei, Devarim 357:10).
There is another example of a non-Jew who was close to prophecy – Elifaz HaTeimani, one of Iyov’s friends (see his introduction to his speech to Iyov – Iyov 4:12-16). To his credit, Elifaz did not claim to have clear prophecy but speaks of his divine encounter of a significant type. We will continue on this theme in future weeks.
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.
