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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
And now, when Moshe has been told he may not enter Eretz Yisrael, and so the people will have to be guided by a new shepherd, Moshe struggles to convince Hashem who his appropriate successor should be. There are a few candidates: First, Moshe hoped that one of his sons would take over for him, as generally happens in a dynasty or kingship (and Moshe indeed had the status of a king!). But - perhaps precisely to indicate that true leadership is a meritocracy, rather than an aristocracy - G-d rejects this proposal.
All right, then perhaps the next leader might be Pinchas. After all, Pinchas has shown bold initiative, in his disposal of Zimri in last week's Sedra, & received G-d's accolade for it. Pinchas was a VIP, a Kohen Gadol from whom all future Kohanei Gadol will descend. But Moshe is wary: he uncharacteristically initiates contact with the Almighty ("Vay'daber Moshe el Hashem!") & addresses Him as "Elokei ha-Ruchot," the "G-d of spirits." Rashi explains this to mean that people differ from one another in temperament, ideas and personality. A leader must be tolerant of all types, since each one of us is a "Tzelem Elokim," a part of G-d's image. This was a veiled hint that Pinchas, for all his merit, might have a problem with relating to the different elements of society & so not be the perfect leader.
In fact, this is hinted to by the second and third p'sukim in our Sedra, respectively, where the name "Pinchas" is spelled with a tiny "Yud," and the word "Shalom" is spelled with a small "Vav." These 2 letters spell out a name of G-d, thus implying that, as noble as Pinchas's act was, the violence he displayed diminished Hashem's name and image.
In the end, of course, it is Yehoshua who is chosen. As Moshe's faithful protege - in effect, a son - Yehoshua had learned from the master how to deal with a population as diverse & demanding as the people of Israel. Yehoshua is described as the moon, & Moshe as the sun, to indicate that Yehoshua "reflected" the best values of his mentor, even as the moon reflects the light of the sun. Yehoshua would go on to become a great leader in his own right; he would conquer the 7 nations of Canaan, as surely as he conquered the urge to be intolerant.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
