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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.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.