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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
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
