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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
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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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.