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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Balak
As far as spiritual power, Bilam was a giant. Chazal derive that in prophecy he was on par with Moshe (Bamidbar Rabba 14:20). Yet, there was a huge chasm between them.
Moshe was pure, honest, and, most of all, humble. Bilam was corrupt and hungry for money and honor. His desires were unsatisfiable. These two opposites, filling parallel roles, met up in this parasha. Except that they did not literally meet. Moshe remained in the shadows and, we almost do not feel him in the parasha. Bilam did not enter a confrontation with Moshe but with the ideals for which Moshe stood in leading the Israelite nation.
From hilltop to hilltop, Bilam went to try see this strange nation, and he saw tent after tent arranged in a proper, orderly manner. He saw the Mishkan, "home" to the Divine Presence, in their midst. How beautiful was this encampment, how in synch with the desire of Hashem, and what healthy family lives existed within!
Finally, it was Bilam’s opportunity to curse, something for which he had waited for so long. It had been very painful for him to hear of the nation’s success in leaving Egypt and since then. How happy he was to receive the request from the Moavites, and he hoped that Hashem would enable him to go. It had been stupid to think that he could outsmart Hashem and spill out some of his venom against Bnei Yisrael.
And then, everything fell apart on Bilam, exposing him to his actual lack of power. He could do nothing in the face of the encampment of the nation of Hashem. For someone who was dedicated to aggrandizing himself and using his spiritual gifts to immorally increase his wealth and fame, he finally felt that his road got him nowhere. Alone and weak, he was forced to bless the nation he so looked forward to cursing.
In an act that hints at thoughts of repentance, Bilam declared: "May my spirit die the death of upright people, and may my end be like theirs" (Bamidbar 23:10). However, he did not get to die the proper death that he suddenly embraced. He was slain by Bnei Yisrael along with the princes of Midian (ibid. 31:8).
Distant worlds met in conflict, and the idolatrous elements of mankind were defeated. This was the end of prophecy for the nations of the world. In Israel, prophecy was just beginning, with the foundational principle being that which Micha said in this week’s haftara: "A man told you that which is good and that which Hashem demands of you, which is doing justice and loving kindness and walking modestly with Hashem" (Micha 6:8).
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.