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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
Korach had two arguments against Moshe (Bamidbar 18:3). Why does a house full of sefarim require a mezuza? Why should a tallit which is colored techeilet require the techeilet strings of tzitzit? These fundamental arguments echo from generation to generation, and they break Bnei Yisrael to pieces and prevent the prevailing of peace.
A house full of sefarim represents great Torah scholars, who fully surround themselves with Torah and do not leave that holy domain. When there is such a house full with sefarim, the place’s great quality and the person’s deep connection to Torah cause him to not notice that there are all sorts of small "scrolls" (with a play on words with "events"), which might not be that impactful, but they have value because they are placed in the entrance and exit of the house. They preserve the Jewish house while people are occupied with matters that become necessary at their time and place. They may be about simple material things, a religious school, a religious agricultural operation, a kibbutz, classes for adolescents, appropriate sports that do not take place on Shabbat. These matters can be considered small, but they are important, just like the mezuza on our doorposts, even for a house full of sefarim.
There is also sometimes a very different mistake – people think there is no need for tzitzit of techeilet on a garment of techeilet. In other words, the techeilet of normal life and its beauty is enough from their perspective. Dealing with simple things while adding to them important content, convinces the heart that this is enough. In a life of work in Eretz Yisrael, which the Chatam Sofer (Sukka 36a) compares to wearing tefillin, where the mundane contains the sacred, one can be blinded by the sun. He can think that if we are all full of techeilet, then we do not also need tzitzit. And if there are tzitzit there, certainly what point would there be for some more techeilet? The value of and excitement about the techeilet of the garment detracts from the excitement of attaching tzitzit of techeilet.
These ideas are mistakes. The Torah says of Aharon: "He separated Aharon to sanctify him as holy of holies" (Divrei Hayamim I, 23:13). If a life of work in Eretz Yisrael is holy, then the values that in the Diaspora are holy, turn into holy of holies in Eretz Yisrael. If plowing in Eretz Yisrael is like donning tefillin, then donning tefillin – is donning tefillin! The relative distance between the values is not shortened; everything just moves further in the direction of sanctity in Eretz Yisrael. If people do not understand this, then they approach sanctity in a manner that destroys and neutralizes the sanctity. As it says in our parasha, "Whoever gets close [improperly] to the Sanctuary of Hashem shall die" (Bamidbar 17:28).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
