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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
"Cushite." Kush (also mentioned in the Purim
Megila as one end of the Persian empire) is
usually the name for Ethiopia. Kush was the older
brother of Mitzrayim (Egypt) so that makes sense
geographically. Rashi says Tzipora was a
Midianite & not actually black-skinned; this is
rather a euphemism for her beauty (Kushit in
Gematriya equals Y’fat Mare’h; implying that just
as everyone acknowledges an Ethiopian as black,
so all would admit that Tzipora was beautiful.
Note that King Shaul was also called, "Cush ben
Yemini" (Tehilim 7:1) though he obviously was not
from Ethiopia. But it’s also possible that
Tzipora was indeed black, as there is a Midrash
that says Yitro bought her as a young girl from
the slave market, which had people from many
different countries. It’s also interesting to
note that Miriam’s punishment of tzara’at caused
her skin to turn "snow-white," perhaps
contrasting to the black skin of Tzipora, who may
have also been embarrassed by Miriam’s charge that she was neglected by Moshe.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
