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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Matot
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Masei
What is somewhat perplexing is that after the war, the laws of kashering vessels is given. The utensils we captured in battle had to be purified, had to undergo a purging, either via water (hagala) or fire (libun), before it was permitted for us to use them. This is the basis of how we kasher till this very day. But does it not seem like a rather odd time to interrupt the narrative for a lesson in practical Jewish law?!
Perhaps this is one reason why the pasuk prefaces the laws of kashering with the statement, "Zot CHUKAT Ha-Torah," this is the statute of the Torah. The term, "Chok" refers to a law for which the reason is not readily apparent. Wearing tzitzit or keeping kosher, for example, are chukim for which we do not know the precise reason. But "hagalat keilim" would not seem to fit into that category! After all, it seems logical that if non-kosher food was absorbed into a pot through heat, traces of that same food could be removed via heat. Indeed, the principle of kashering is, "k'bolo, kach polto," the medium by which something is absorbed is the medium by which it is expunged. So it is the placing of these laws here - and not the law itself - which is indeed a kind of chok, or mystery.
Some want to suggest that using the term "chok" regarding kashering is a way of telling us that each and every Mitzva - no matter how logical or self-apparent it may seem - is to be viewed as a Chok. Why? Because there are always manifold layers to the meaning of each Mitzva, many of which are beyond our comprehension. Plus ideally, we should relate to every Mitzva as if it is a Chok, observing that Mitzva primarily because Hashem commanded it to us, and not because it "makes sense" to us. In this way, we connect to G-d and demonstrate our faith in Him.
But I want to suggest something else. Perhaps this Halacha of kashering was placed precisely here, just after the war with dastardly Midian, to tell us that as horrible as war can be - with all its concomitant suffering and indiscretions - at times it is necessary as a way of cleansing, or purging something evil in our midst. In this case, we had to completely cleanse ourselves of the impure influence of Midian and their despicable form of scatological idolatry, a ritual totally abhorred by Hashem.
Later, in Masei, a similar warning is given to Bnei Yisrael. We are told to demolish the idols we found in Canaan and completely purge Israel of the immoral Canaanites and their practices, driving them out of the land. If we failed to do so, says G-d, "they will be pins in your eyes and thorns in your sides; and what I had meant to do to them, I will do to you."
Kashering, we may conclude, is as much about freedom from impurity as it is about food; and cleansing people and places is at least as important as cleansing pots and pans.
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.
