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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
In this week’s parasha, Moshe invited those inciting against him to a discussion with him. Datan and Aviram said: "Lo na’aleh" (Bamidbar 16:12). They continued: "Is it not enough that you brought us up from a land that is flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert? … and you did not bring us to a land flowing with milk and honey" (ibid. 13-14).
Another critical term is – "a land flowing with milk and honey." This is how Hashem referred to the future Eretz Yisrael from the time of the burning bush (Shemot 3:8). (Most commentaries explain that the honey is the oozing sweetness of the fruit.) In their chutzpa, Datan and Aviram used the term to refer to Egypt, thus connecting themselves to the ten evil spies.
What is the significance of Eretz Yisrael being called flowing with milk and honey? Yeshayahu used milk and honey as a sign of great bounty for the survivors of the destruction by the Assyrians at the time of Chizkiyahu (Yeshayahu 7: 14-22). This is the sign of agricultural blossoming in Eretz Yisrael. Many other prophets used similar imagery (see Yoel 4:18; Amos 9:13-14; Yirmiyahu 31:4-7; Yechezkel 36:8-10). Based on such prophecies, Chazal taught that successful agriculture in the Land is the greatest sign of the approaching times of Mashiach (Sanhedrin 98a). Therefore, Datan and Aviram not only raised complaints against Moshe’s leadership but also against the prophecies of liberation about the nation’s populace sitting under grape vines and fig trees, and the return to a productive Eretz Yisrael after a period of exile.
Our generations have merited to counteract the sin of the spies and of Datan and Aviram. Am Yisrael has returned to Eretz Yisrael, which has greeted us with its milk and honey. The connection between Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael is supernatural. While from an intellectual, rational perspective, the ten spies and Datan and Aviram might have been right, we are believers, who follow the approaches of Moshe Rabbeinu and his disciples, Yehoshua and Kalev. With all the wonder and divine kindness involved, the situation on "the ground" supports these beliefs and prophecies.
Let us give two of many examples. 1. His time’s greatest Jewish demographer, Shimon Dubnow, predicted in 1898 that in 1998 there would be about half a million Jews in Eretz Yisrael, without a state that would be internationally recognized or having their national aspirations fulfilled, and they would live only with the help of Diaspora Jews. Obviously he was far off. 2. Seth Siegel, the American expert on world water supply, wrote more recently that Israeli technologies in the field of water and irrigation are the key to improving the lives of 4 billion people worldwide. Indeed, more than 150 countries use Israeli technologies.
In summary, Moshe is truthful and his Torah is truthful. "Let us go up."
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
