YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Pinchas
Humility. The great ones are always humble; &
this humility is most severely tested when one
experiences pain, rejection & disappointment &
yet still maintains complete faith in G-d.
Moshe Rabbeinu pleads to Hashem - whom he refers
to here as "Elokay HaRuchot, the G-d of spirits"
- to choose a leader to replace him. This strange
name for Hashem implies that a leader should be
tolerant, & inclusive of all types &
temperaments. This was clearly a hint to Hashem
that Pinchas, despite his brave act of zealotry
when he killed Zimri, was not the right person to lead the nation.
Moshe is told to place his hand upon Yehoshua &
declare him as successor. But when Moshe performs
this act, he slightly deviates from G-d’s command
& places both his hands on Yehoshua! A subtle,
but significant change from the original command. What happened here?
Moshe, like any good father - he was human, after
all! - would have preferred that his own son
succeed him. But G-d chose Yehoshua, who was a
great scholar in his own right. So Moshe thought,
"OK, fine, let Yehoshua be the Torah leader; but
let my son be the military leader, the king, or
the community benefactor." Moshe thought that
perhaps, by being ordered to place just one hand
on Yehoshua, G-d was hinting this could actually happen.
But G-d rejected this idea; He wanted a person
who had it all, who embodied all the diverse
qualities needed to lead a people as challenging
as Israel. And so Moshe placed both his hands on
Yehoshua’s head, indicating that Yehoshua would be Tzadik, King & General.
This valiant yet bittersweet act speaks volumes
about Moshe’s devotion to G-d, & to the nation,
which he placed before any personal ambition or
desire he might have harbored. It also sends
another crucial message: The future, ultimate
hero of Am Yisrael will be someone who excels not
only in Tosfot, but in tanks; not only Medrash,
but also military strategy; an expert in commerce
no less than Kedusha. Like David HaMelech. Like
Moshiach, the future, heralded scholar-teacher-warrior.
This elusive goal can only take place in Israel,
where all the disparate elements of society - the
military, political, economic & educational – can
merge into one entity. Only here can a leader
emerge who will contain within a single body, a
single perfected soul, all the holy components of
redemption, who will carry a Tanach into battle
while defeating our enemies & energize our Neshamot.
That’s what & who we are waiting for: Please come soon!
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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
