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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
The Sages expanded Korach’s agenda of delegitimization adding that he also denied the validity of the Torah. We read in the Talmud of the Land of Israel:"Rav said: Korach was a heretic. What did he do? He made Taliyoth entirely of Tekheleth. He came to Moses and inquired: Should they be subject to Tzitzit?. [Moses] said to him: they are subject to Tzitzit as it says: "Fringes you shall make for yourself" (Deut 22:12) . . . At that time Korach said: Neither is the Torah from the Heavens nor is Moses true nor is Aaron the High Priest" (Sanhed 10:1 50a)
Korach’s argument presupposes that it is the reason behind the Law and not the Law itself that is ultimately binding. The Tekheleth (blue die) on the fringes is intended to remind one about Heavens, but it should be rendered unnecessary if the entire garment is colored with Tekheleth.
Moses, on the other hand, derives the law matter-of-factedly, the reason behind it playing no role in its obligatoriness. His implicit response to Korach is that the Law is stand- alone and it, not the reason behind has binding force.
The Talmud of the Land of Israel teaches us that even Solomon the wisest of all men strayed to this same style of interpretation of Divine Law. He allowed himself to have many foreign wives because he believed that his composition would prevent him from succumbing to bad influence. At the time he reckoned that it is reason behind the Law and not the Law itself that was binding. (Sanhed 2:6 13a)
"The Book of Deuteronomy went up and prostrated itself before God. It said before him: Eternal Master: You have written in your Torah that any testament that is partially void is completely voided. Behold, Solomon wishes to uproot a Yodh from me. The Holy One said to it: Solomon and one thousand like him will desist but a single thing from you shall not be abrogated". (ibid)
The Book so to speak complains before God that by following the Spirit of the Law and not the Letter of the Law Solomon is annulling not just the individual laws that he violated, but effectively the Law in its entirety. It is on the backdrop of this complaint that the true nature of Korach’s heresy can be appreciated!
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.