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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Masei
When Bnei Yisrael were slaves to the Egyptians, Hashem promised Moshe and Aharon: "See that I have made you a master to Paroh, and your brother Aharon will be your spokesman … and he will send Bnei Yisrael out from his land … and I will act against Egypt, and I will extricate my tzvaot (we will now translate this as "mass of people"), my nation, Bnei Yisrael from the Land of Egypt with great plagues … and Moshe was 80 and Aharon was 83 when they spoke before Paroh." (Shemot 7:1-7). At that time, it is also described that Hashem took Bnei Yisrael from Egypt "according to its tzvaot" (ibid. 12:51) and that they "left with a yad rama" (a powerful hand) (ibid. 14:8).
40 years later, Bamidbar finishes with the list of the sojourns that Bnei Yisrael took after leaving Egypt. The Torah again mentions that they left as tzvaot and that it happened with a yad rama. We will try to gain insight into these terms, with which Chazal and early commentators struggled.
We have discussed the description of the nation leaving Egypt: "a man according to his encampment and his flag upon their tzvaot" (Bamidbar 1:52). We pointed out that the stress is on the nation leaving Egypt for the purpose of leaving enslavement and forming an orderly society that functions according to law so that each citizen is equal. If there is not respect for law and justice, the society is worthless, as individuals can be trampled (see Derashot Haran 11; Rambam, Gezeila 5:18).
Therefore, after the Exodus, Moshe needed to organize the nation toward a framework of laws whose purpose was to ensure public order, so that people could make use of their rights "each man according to his flag." These laws change with the time and place, and therefore they are not included in the immutable Torah.
Yet, Halacha requires that we follow dina d’malchuta (the law of the land), and this is behind the phrases we have highlighted in the beginning of Shemot and at the summary of the time in the midbar. When following justice and kindness, the nation represents the principles of Hashem, which makes them fit for the phrases of tzvaot, which is used regarding the legions of angels, and yad rama, which indicates a transparency in the workings of society. Indeed, there must not be any false pretenses and activity under the table. Rather things should be fully visible and done with clean hands, with bodies to supervise and investigate wrongdoing.
We pray that we will continue to develop the State of Israel, which was founded by a nation that returned to its Land after 2,000 years that included many dark periods. Specifically in the Three Weeks, we should be extra careful to strengthen the national characteristics of tzivotam and yad rama.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
