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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
The most obviously significant characteristic is that the center of the encampment was the Mishkan, with its Divine Presence, and the Levi’im, the nation’s spiritual leaders. This set the tone for the encampment and ensured that all of the tribes were essentially equidistant to the place of national service of Hashem.
The encampment was broken up into four groups of three tribes each, with a lead tribe, in the four directions (Bamidbar 2:1-54). The groups were: Yehuda, with Yissachar and Zevulun, to the east; Reuven, with Shimon and Gad, to the south; Ephrayim, with Menashe and Binyamin, to the north; Dan, with Naftali and Asher, to the west. Ibn Ezra (ibid. 1:19) explains the significance of these groupings. They were, basically, according to the various matriarchs of Bnei Yisrael: Leah, Rachel, Bilha and Zilpa. This needed slight adjustments, as we will spell out. While Leah had six sons, which would seem to make two groupings, Levi was "lost" to the realm of the center-Mishkan region. So, while Yehuda was with two full brothers, Reuven "adopted" half-brother Gad, the first born of Zilpa, who was Leah’s maidservant, and whose children gravitated toward Leah’s children. This was followed by Rachel’s sub-encampment. Her firstborn, Yosef, was awarded two tribes, with the more prominent one, Ephrayim’s tribe, being the leader of Menashe and Rachel’s second son, Binyamin. Finally, Dan, the firstborn of the sons of the maidservants, led the final grouping with Naftali and Asher, after Gad was "elevated" to the Reuven group.
Hagut B’Parshiyot Hatorah posits a practical and straightforward idea to explain the logic of the groupings – it was for unity’s sake, to keep together populations that were most likely to get along. This thesis may teach us something important about unity. While ideal unity entails getting close to those with whom he is least likely to be close, practical steps for unity and peace call for people’s closest association being with those with whom they are most likely to cooperate well and less contact with those with more challenging relationships.
While Ibn Ezra suggests that the most prominent encampment was that of Reuven (which is presented first in Bamidbar 1:20-40), the more accepted approach is that Yehuda’s grouping was the most prominent. It is they who were the first to travel, and they are mentioned first in Bamidbar 2. Oznayim Latorah is one of the commentators who highlights the special characteristics of these tribes. Yehuda were the warriors and political leaders; Yissachar were the Torah scholars; and Zevulun were the businessmen who supported Yissachar’s Torah study efforts. This indeed has been a winning combination in successful times in our nation’s history. When such people work together properly, the question of who is first and who follows is not a divisive issue, as each has a sacred and crucial role in the sacred joint effort.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
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
