YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
We will start by pointing out that Tanach was received from the Heavens, on three "levels," over a period of approximately a thousand years. Moshe Rabbeinu first received himself the Five Books of Moses (Torah), starting from at Mt. Sinai and ending with his death, on the eve of entering the Land. Subsequently, the prophets received the books of The Prophets (Navi). In an overlapping period of time, Ketuvim (Writings) were received through divine spirit.
The Men of the Great Assembly, some of whom were prophets and some had divine spirit, were involved in canonizing Tanach, over hundreds of years, starting from the time of Yeshayahu and Be’eri, the father of Hoshea. Once this was complete, Tanach became one organic work, where books are interrelated. One of the important projects is to connect "all the pieces of the puzzle" that are spread throughout Tanach. Only when all the references and hints on a certain topic, from throughout Tanach, are elucidated, can one get a complete picture. One of the best ways to do this is to connect seemingly unrelated sections, by means of the use of the same word or phrase in each (g’zeira shava). This follows the Rabbis’ rule that "scripture is not coming to keep matters sealed but to explain matters" (Seder Olam Rabba 1). This means that Tanach explains itself by interconnecting different sources and applying a lesson in one to another.
This phenomenon plays out with Tzlofchad, in trying to determine his sin. One opinion in the gemara (Shabbat 96a) reasons that he was the one who gathered wood on Shabbat, because each section surprisingly stresses that it occurred in the desert. The Zohar uses the same basic methodology to derive that Tzlofchad was one of those who complained about the paucity of food in the desert and used this to question Moshe’s leadership. According to the Zohar, there was a hidden criticism of Moshe’s leadership because Yaakov (Bereishit 49:26) had ostensibly given political prominence to the tribes coming from Yosef. (Tzlofchad was a descendant of Yosef’s firstborn, Menashe).
In short, national unity is at the heart of Jewish belief. One G-d gave the Torah to one nation, which stood as one man at Sinai, to receive the Torah. We received one book from Hashem, the united Tanach. In order to fulfill the Torah properly, we must act as a united people. Only under those circumstances can we survive as a political entity over time. Our enemies hope to harm our unity, which would also be a blow to the One G-d.
In times when our army unites its soldiers, serving side-by-side against murderers, we must transcend petty disagreements. We send condolences and blessings to the families of those who have fallen al Kiddush Hashem and pray for a speedy recovery for the injured. We must find that which we can agree upon and fix what we can, while thanking Hashem for what we have, as we patiently wait for our national project to continue expanding and improving.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.