YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
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.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
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.