YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
& vows. In Halacha, a promise is a promise & must
be kept; our words create a tangible reality that
binds us, as surely as Hashem created the entire
universe through "speech:" ("And G-d said, let
there be....."). So it seems appropriate that
this section of oaths is followed by the call for
war against Midian, which hired Bilaam to "curse
us to death." The time had come for vengeance mida k’neged mida.
What is perplexing is that after the war, the
laws of kashering vessels is given. The
utensils captured in battle had to be purified
with a purging either via water (hagala) or fire
(libun), before it was permitted for us to use
them (this is still how we kasher to this very
day). But does it not seem rather odd to
interrupt the narrative for a lesson in practical Jewish law?!
The pasuk introducing the laws of kashering
states: "Zot chukat Ha-Torah," this is the
statute of the Torah. "Chok" refers to laws for
which the reason is not readily apparent, such as
wearing tzitzit or keeping kosher. But "hagalat
keilim" seems logical: if non-kosher food is
absorbed into a pot through heat, traces of that
same food should be removed via heat. (The
operative principle of kashering is, "k'bolo,
kach polto," the medium by which something is
absorbed is the medium by which it is then
expunged). So placing these laws here – more than
the law itself - is indeed its own a kind of chok, or mystery.
I suggest that perhaps this Halacha of kashering
was davka stated here, just after the war with
evil Midian, to tell us that as horrible as war
can be, with all its concomitant suffering &
indiscretions, at times it is necessary as a way
of cleansing, or purging something treif in our
midst. In this case, we had to completely cleanse
ourselves of the impure influence of Midian &
their despicable, repugnant form of scatological
idolatry, a ritual totally abhorred by Hashem.
In Masei, a similar warning is given to Bnei
Yisrael. We are told to demolish the idols we
found in Canaan & completely purge Israel of the
immoral Canaanites & their practices, driving
them out of the land. If we fail to do so, says
G-d, "they will be pins in your eyes & thorns in
your sides & what I had meant to do to them, I will do to you."
We are now embroiled in an existential war to
"kasher" our part of the world, ridding it of the
perverse ideology of Hamas & fundamental Islam,
which glorifies death, has no regard for human
dignity & plots to bring the entire world under
its oppressive control. Hashem has placed us in
position to purge this evil cancer before it
spreads & engulfs humanity in its wake. Today's
attack on a leader of this evil alliance displays
our daring and determination to rid the world of
those who would disgrace and destroy it. May G-d give us strength.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
