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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
"As you refused My word in the Desert of Tzin at the quarrelling of the congregation to sanctify Me with the water before their eyes; these are the waters of quarrelling of Kadesh in the Desert of Tzin" (Bamidbar 27:14). Why does the Torah give a name to the waters which happen to be the setting for a fateful sin and stress where it took place? The order of the pasuk is also difficult as it seems to indicate that the quarrelling of the congregation was to sanctify Hashem. Although Moshe may have over-reacted to the people’s complaints of lack of water, they certainly did not seem to be sanctifying Hashem with their complaints. The Ibn Ezra answers the second question simply by saying that the pasuk is indeed to be understood as out of order. The sanctifying of Hashem goes on the beginning of the pasuk. Moshe and Aharon refused (according to Unkelus’ translation) to sanctify Hashem. Even if the direct meaning is as Ibn Ezra posits, one can still ask if the Torah’s order is meant to indicate a second level of understanding.
Returning to the first question, Rashi gives two separate, almost opposite explanations of the stress of "the water of quarrelling of Kadesh." One is that it is meant to prompt us to infer that this was a unique event, for only here did Moshe sin. The second explanation is that this was one of three occurrences of a similar phenomenon related to water. As the Siftei Chachamim explains Rashi, these were the same Bnei Yisrael who caused problems at the waters of Marah, where they complained of thirst, and at the [Red] Sea, where they complained about the apparent, impending doom at the hands of the Egyptians. The second explanation seems difficult. First of all, Moshe’s shortcoming, not the nation’s, is the subject of this section, as it explains why he did not enter the Land. Secondly, it is historically questionable. After all, the generation of Marah and the Sea had all but died out by the time Moshe sinned at the rock.
Rashi is indeed elucidating Moshe’s failure by explaining that Bnei Yisrael, although comprising new individuals, were acting a similar way to their predecessors when struck by fear of thirst or death. At Marah and the Sea, Moshe followed Hashem’s instruction with a confidence that the people’s fear would turn into a means of sanctifying Hashem when they would be saved; at the rock, he did not. However, the people were paradoxically providing Moshe the opportunity to sanctify as the strange order of the pasuk hints.
It is difficult but important to remember that not only happy national events but even difficult ones have the potential to boomerang into an opportunity to see Hashem’s Hand positively.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
