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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Balak
Bilaam’s ancestry is mysterious; we’re not sure exactly where he came from. Indeed, chazal say his name can be read as, "Bli Am," nation-less. He was a kind of "gun for hire" & would work on behalf of any person or country that paid him. In our Sedra, he is hired by Balak, king of Moav, to use his considerable talents to curse the Jews.
Balak would ideally like to defeat Israel in battle, but he’s heard of Egypt’s demise, & he fears that we have Divine protection. So he calls upon Bilaam – who actually can speak directly to G-d & has a worldwide reputation – to malign & defame us in the Heavenly court. The "unholy alliance" Bilaam & Balak forge is perfectly indicated by taking the last two letters of Bilaam’s name, & combining them with the last two letters of Balak’s name. That spells – wait for it - Amalek (and now you see the connection to Haman, the Amaleki!).
On the surface, you might shrug off this failed attempt to curse us. You might repeat the famous rhyme about how (derogatory) names, unlike sticks & stones, cannot hurt us. But, regrettably, that’s not so. Since most people take what they see or read at face value, they will generally tend to develop a negative attitude towards something or someone who is continually demonized. And that false impression can lead to hate crimes, violence & murder.
The Torah therefore forbids us of speaking badly about others, and the vilest form of this is Motzi Shem Ra, when people fabricate malicious actions we are accused of. Indeed, Israel has a law on the books that allows one to sue if he or she has been injured by Motzi Shem Ra or Lashon Ha-Ra.
Hashem, of course, knows the damage which Bilaam could cause if his curses are allowed to be enunciated & broadcast. And so, once again, G-d intervenes in history to not only prevent the curses to be made, but to change them into blessings that positively reflect & define us to this very day.
Now you may wonder, "Why didn’t Balak ask Bilaam to use his powers to bless Moav, rather than curse Israel?!" A good question. But that is part of the pervasive hatred & anti-Semitism the enemies near us & throughout the world have: they would rather destroy Israel than have good lives of their own.
May Hashem continue to frustrate their desires, guard us & grant Israel peace.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.