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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
It is hard to ignore that Parashat Korach, with its account of Korach and his supporters’ opposition to the leadership under Moshe Rabbeinu, comes right after Parashat Shelach, which describes the people broadly accepting the spies’ thesis that Bnei Yisrael were incapable of conquering Eretz Yisrael from its powerful residents. The Torah also hints in various ways, including the use of conspicuously similar terminology, that the episodes are connected.
One of the major words of the story of the spies is the root aloh (going up … to the Land). The righteous spies said "aloh na’aleh" (we shall certainly go up) (Bamidbar 13:30). The next pasuk uses the root twice. Surprisingly, Korach said repeatedly that he would not "go up," even though he was referring just to going to meet Moshe (ibid. 16:12-14).
The two parshiyot also both use the description of lands as zavat chalav u’dvash (flowing with milk and honey). The good spies did that in reference to Eretz Yisrael (ibid. 14:8), and Korach (ibid. 16:13-14) used it both in terms of Eretz Yisrael and, actually, Egypt.
Finally, both parshiyot refer to the nemeses of Moshe as the eidah (the assemblage). (See Bamidbar 14:27, 35 regarding the spies, and ibid. 26:9, ibid. 27:3, and Tehillim 106:16 regarding the assemblage of Korach.)
The midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Korach 750) makes this type of connection very directly and poignantly. Datan and Aviram criticized Moshe for taking credit for the great good of taking the people out of Egypt, whereas they highlighted the fertile nature of Egypt and the unwelcoming desolation of the wilderness.
It therefore is likely that after the spies were divinely killed and the whole nation was punished that they would have to stay in the desert for a long time, there remained a nucleus of rabble-rousers, supporters of Korach, who opposed going to Eretz Yisrael, for which Moshe was preparing them. When they said, "We will not go up," this included not going up to the Land or going to the section of the encampment around the Mishkan, where Moshe spent his time. These people did not believe that, spiritually, the Mishkan was the highest point in the encampment (see Midrash Aggada, Bamidbar 16:12). That is why they said "We will not go up" and not "We will not go." They likewise were not willing to accept that Eretz Yisrael is [spiritually] the highest place in the world (see Sifrei, Eikev 37).
In these times, when our enemies are trying their hardest to make it difficult for us to live in the Land, we will borrow two declarations from the two discussed parshiyot: "The Land is very, very good" (Bamidbar 14:7). Also, "Moshe is truthful and his teachings are true, and Korach and his group speak mistruths" (Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 11). We thank Hashem with great enthusiasm for the great privilege to live in a Jewish state, whose achievements in every facet have been tremendous. Let us do this with unity and willingness to listen to each other, as is needed now.
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
