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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Vayikra
Parashat Naso includes the process of consecrating the Mishkan and its vessels (Bamidbar 7:1). Right thereafter, the Torah tells that the nesi’im (the heads of each of the tribes) began giving their offerings for the Mishkan (ibid. 2). This raises the question: what is the connection between the Mishkan (and, later, the Beit Hamikdash) and the nation’s political leadership?
Rav A.Y. Kook, zt"l, who founded the Chief Rabbinate of Israel well before the State of Israel was established or could be fully expected, taught us that an independent Jewish political entity is an inseparable part of the existence of the Divine Kingdom in the world. This too makes it all the more imperative to analyze what the place of the State is in the Mikdash.
The prophets were very engaged with the kings of Israel and their courts. Their exhortations were most commonly addressed to these leaders. The lessons they tried to teach found expression not only in their content but in the order of their prophesies, as we will now develop. We will first look at the sections in Melachim that deal with King Shlomo’s building of his kingdom’s edifices and the building of the Beit Hamikdash.
It is clear that Moshe was in charge of the building of the Mishkan. He oversaw everything, even if he appointed as head artisans, Betzalel (from the Tribe of Yehuda) and Ohaliav (from Dan). Because of Moshe’s unique persona and level, he led all three branches of government, parallel to Hashem’s complete control in leading the world. The reason he was in charge of the Mishkan was that he was the political ruler. That is also the reason that he served like a kohen during the seven days of consecration. On the eighth day, he handed the reins over to his brother, Aharon.
During the building of the Beit Hamikdash, Shlomo (from Yehuda) was the main person in charge of the building, along with Chiram (from Dan). In many places in the navi, it calls the Beit Hamikdash, "The house that Shlomo built for Hashem" (see Melachim I, 6:2). Shlomo was the one who offered korbanot and recited the prayers (see Melachim I, 8).
This is also what will be in the time of the building of the Third Temple. Yechezkel prophesied that the nasi (the equivalent to the king) will bring the sacrifices for the consecration (Yechezkel 46:4-5). The Rambam (Ma’aseh Hakorbanot 2:15) posits as well that the special offerings and arrangements during this week will be done by the nasi in the future.
We have thus proven that the executive branch of the nation has a special place in the building of the spiritual center of Bnei Yisrael. We will continue developing this thesis next week.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
