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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
Ahron’s great talent was making peace between people, particularly those at odds with one another. He was able to succeed at this because he, like Moshe, was extremely humble & did not consider himself better than anyone else. This is exemplified by his selfless acceptance of Moshe, his younger brother, as leader of the nation.
The protective clouds provided in his honor are called Ananei HaKavod; literally, the clouds of honor. By teaching others to honor their fellow man, Ahron was instrumental in creating a beautiful, holy environment that was loved & safeguarded by G-d. (Note that Rabbi Akiva’s students died for not giving kavod to one other).
But when Ahron died, the great role model of bein adam l’chavero (harmony between people) was gone, & the peoples’ respect for each other went into decline. This led to strife & machloket, & eventually war. And so, our Parsha - sadly but perfectly - fits the pattern of dissension running through the complainers of B’ha’alotcha, the slanderous spies of Shlach & the rebellion of Korach.
The lesson offered here should be painfully obvious to us. We are caught up in a worldwide vortex of Jew/Israel hatred (which, of course, are one & the same) that may lead to violence & G-d forbid, war. Where it will all end up, only Hashem knows, but where it begins is clear as day: it begins with Jew vs. Jew disrespect.
Now, the fact that we argue with each other is not necessarily or inherently destructive. After all, the Gemara is all about argument & staking out different positions in order to arrive at the ultimate Truth.
But how do we argue with each other?! Do we honor & give credence to the others position, or do we dismiss it out of hand? Do we accept that there may be more than one way of looking at things, or do we insist that ours is the only opinion that is even worth considering?
The Sages tell us the reason Halacha generally follows Bet Hillel & not Bet Shamai is that Bet Hillel always considered the views of Bet Shamai before expressing its own. It was truly a "Torat Ahron," & one we should diligently pursue today - before it’s too late.
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?
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.
