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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
Let us look at the machloket with Korach. Why did there need to be two proofs that the Moshe/Aharon approach was correct – the swallowing up of Korach and the flowering of Aharon’s staff? The answer appears to emerge from the realization that there were two different disputes – about Moshe’s leadership and about the choice of Aharon as kohen gadol.
The first miracle (Bamidbar 16:28-30) was "called" by Moshe in advance. If the ground would open and swallow up Korach and his cohorts, it would prove that Moshe was correct in his leadership. Of course, Moshe succeeded. However, this solved only the issue of Moshe’s authority to decide.
The question of whether Aharon was the optimal choice was proven differently. Each of the tribes brought staffs, Aharon’s staff was placed among them, and Aharon’s staff grew flowers/fruit overnight. Moshe and not Aharon involved himself in this "contest" (ibid. 17:22-23). What is the difference between the two challenges?
Moshe held two leadership positions. The first was as the nation’s "political" leader, which required having the nation’s recognition and support. Not all the people did so originally, seeing him as just another human being, and some treated him with suspicion because he grew up as an Egyptian prince in Pharaoh’s court. As a political leader, Moshe had to negotiate with kings throughout the Middle East and take actions that were not popular with all the people.
Moshe’s second task was as the recipient and teacher of the Torah. In this task, he refrained from food and sleep for 40 days and went up to the Heaven to return with the Torah, which is of divine origin. He is the only person who merited to speak "face to face" with Hashem, and his extreme spirituality made it necessary to wear a mask after speaking to Him. Whoever argues with Moshe in this role denies Hashem’s most basic tenets, as belief in the eternal relevance of the Torah that Moshe taught is a foundation of Jewish belief.
These points were concretized by the miracle in the beginning of our parasha. As one who is on the level of an angel, Moshe’s decisions must not be attacked, as Korach learned. The people learned to accept him.
Aharon, in contrast, did not need the people to accept him. The kohanim and levi’im are human beings who are chosen to serve special roles in the service of Hashem. Their sensitive tasks require them to take on special restrictions. Their roles are not those which they pursue but those which they are born into. A kohen is a kohen, and a levi is a levi. This is what was proved by the miracle of the flowering staff.
Let us continue to embrace disagreement, while keeping it within the realm of respectful behavior. In that way, we will learn from Aharon, who "loved all creations, drew them close to the Torah, and made peace between Jews and between them and their Father in Heaven."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
