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Beit Midrash
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The midwives who stood up to Paroah were, according to the midrash, from the tribe of Levi (Yocheved and Miriam). The important couple, who Chazal also said were leaders and of course were the parents of Moshe, are again Yocheved, and her nephew Amram (see Shemot 6:20), daughter and grandson of Levi, respectively. Their three children were all critical leaders. These are all from the children of Leah, like Yehuda.
When Yehoshua became Moshe’s "youngster"/assistant, and then later was appointed his successor as leader, there is another change between the apparent supremacy of one family as opposed to the other. Yehoshua is from the tribe of Ephrayim, the choice son of Yosef. Did Yehoshua interact with a parallel leader from Yehuda, Leah’s choice son for leadership?
The climax of the tension between the disguised Yosef and his brothers is introduced with "Yehuda approached him (Yosef)" (Bereishit 44:18). When Kalev ben Yefuneh approached Yehoshua to ask for fulfillment of the divine promise that he would receive Chevron, the pasuk says: "The Sons of Yehuda approached Yehoshua…" (Yehoshua 14:6). We treat these reoccurrences of phrases as a "footnote," telling us to view both sources together.
Yehoshua and Kalev were co-opponents of the plot of the spies, who were called "princes" and "heads of Bnei Yisrael" (Bamidbar 13:2-3). Yehoshua represented Ephrayim, and Kalev did so for Yehuda. The fact that Moshe chose the former rather than the latter as his successor is a victory for the camp of Yosef, in a competition that begins in Parashat Vayeishev. Much of the time, Yosef was on top. The brothers had to plead with him to spare their lives (Bereishit 50:18), and it is Yosef who gives instructions to prepare for the liberation from Egypt (ibid. 24). Therefore, it is not surprising that his descendant would lead the entrance into the Land.
Despite this and the fact that Yaakov refers to Yosef as "the crown of his brothers" (ibid. 49:26), Yaakov’s prophecy is that Yehuda will be the ultimate leader (ibid. 8-9). Yehuda’s blessing is passed on through Tamar’s first born, Peretz, to his son Chetzron, and it would seem to be destined for Kalev (see Divrei Hayamim I, 2:6-9 with Rashi and Radak). Naval, a competitor of David and a descendant of Kalev, stakes his claim to leadership on this fact (see Yerushalmi, Sanhedrin 2:3). This is furthered by Kalev’s marriage to Miriam (the complicated genealogy is beyond our present scope), who was promised, as Puah, a house of monarchy (see Sota 11b).
Some of these identifications raise questions, as Kalev does not seem old enough to have a son, Chur son of Miriam, who had a leadership role right after the Exodus (see Shemot 17:10). We have a similar question about age about the Mishkan’s engineer, Betzalel. We will investigate these next week. In the meantime, we must remember that unity is crucial in bringing full liberation; struggles between brothers are destructive.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.