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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Emor
- Three times within the space of just two p’sukim, this unidentified person is referred to as "the son of an Israelite woman." Only after this is her full name finally mentioned: Shlomit bat Divri.
- Rashi says the phrase, "he went among Bnei Yisrael" means he converted. But wasn’t he Jewish already?!
- At no time do we learn why the man was cursing G-d. He is placed in custody until Moshe can consult with Hashem as to what should be done with him. In the end, the verdict of execution by stoning is finally given. Why?
With the help of several midrashim, going back to Shmot, let’s try to put the pieces of this puzzle together.
Chazal say there was only one instance of an illicit liaison between a Jew and an Egyptian during the entire period of Egyptian slavery. That was the case of the Egyptian taskmaster who was involved with Shlomit (there seems to be a dispute as to whether she was a willing partner or was raped). When Shlomit’s husband caught the two together, the Egyptian began to beat him; Moshe saw this & killed the Egyptian (using Hashem’s ineffable name). In any case, a child – the M’kalel - resulted from this union.
The son grows up & he demands a share in the land. He even goes through a conversion (the Siftei Chachamim says that those born before Matan Torah went by the religion of the father). He repeats over & over that his mother is Jewish, from the tribe of Dan, but as he has no paternal tribal Jewish lineage, his plea is denied. Caught in an impossible halachic quandary & feeling abandoned, he finally explodes in anger & curses G-d for his fate.
This complicated case is similar to that of Z’lofchad’s daughters, who also felt disenfranchised & denied their ancestral land. The difference between them & the M’kalel is that the daughters kept their cool, went thru proper procedure & politely petitioned Moshe. So in the end, their petition was vindicated, whereas the M’kalel lost control, lashed out at G-d, and so he was executed.
Life, to be sure, is not always fair – at least in our mortal eyes. But even when we are depressed & dismayed, cursing our fate - & G-d – cannot be the answer. At some point, we must bow to a higher authority & keep our faith.
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.
