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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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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.
