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Beit Midrash
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One of the rules of tuma is that objects become capable of becoming tameh when they are made by man into useful utensils. Sometimes this means that if they are exposed to tuma, they become tameh, and sometimes this means that in order to use it (for food), one must first immerse it in a mikveh. Some utensils, like p’shutei kli etz (wood utensils that do not have a receptacle in which things can be stored) always remain pure (Tosefta, Chulin 1:21).
Our parasha (Bamidbar 19:15) teaches that an open earthenware utensil (kli cheres) can become tameh but not a sealed one. The rule is that a kli cheres becomes tameh only from within. Homiletically, we can learn that what is important is the internal nature of things, not the external nature.
Let us apply this idea to another subject that the parasha deals with. Bnei Yisrael complained about their disgust with their main food in the desert, the manna (ibid. 21:5). This is surprising considering the wonderful qualities the Torah ascribes to it (see Shemot 16:31) and which Chazal expanded upon. (The most famous quality, although far from the only one, is that the manna tasted like whatever one wanted it to taste – see Yoma 75a).
It is logical to conjecture that what disturbed the people was that it did not look like food. It is well known that part of a food’s appeal is connected to its appearance, not just its taste. The manna lacked the appearance that would stimulate the people’s appetite. (We should add, parenthetically, that a Jew should eat to satiate himself, so that he should have strength to serve Hashem, not because of a craving for the food. This is as it says in Mishlei (13:25): "A righteous person eats for the satiation of his spirit.")
The manna that Hashem gave us to eat in the wilderness indeed sent home the opposite message from what the people’s prejudice was. One should not look at the external but at the internal. The idea that the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was a cause of "desire to the eyes" (Bereishit 3:6) was part of the background of the sin. The fact that the snake pushed to Adam and Chava the idea of importance of the fruit’s appearance explains why snakes were involved in punishing the people who complained about the manna and thereby gave unwarranted value to the food’s appearance.
Certainly, due to technological and economic factors, the world of marketing has an ever-expanding impact on mankind’s choices, for people of all ages. From a young age, even children are exposed to the elevating of the role of externals and of self-promotion, for the most part in a negative manner. These factors cause great deterioration of society, leading up to and including murder. We will continue to work to give prominence to the internal, which requires overcoming many technologies and social factors that preach the opposite.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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)
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)
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
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.
