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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
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
