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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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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.
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.
