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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
It appears that the Torah deals more strictly with an unfaithful wife than with an unfaithful husband. But the Torah teaches that in order to experience the Divine Presence, there should be a proper relationship between one man and one woman. The Torah calls couples, a man who "leaves his parents and clings to his wife and become one flesh" (Bereishit 2:23-24).
Admittedly, the Torah allows a man to marry more than one woman, which was a sociological need in yesteryear. However, the Torah consistently stressed the problematic nature of having multiple wives. Lemech lamented his lot to his two wives, and he turned into the second recorded murderer (ibid. 4:19-23). After Cain killed his brother, Lemech killed his son. Chazal lamented about such men and their two wives, one for childbearing, who was mistreated, while the other one for his enjoyment was rendered sterile with ancient drugs and occupied herself with beautification. Indeed, in polygamy, at least one wife would be treated improperly.
When the Torah discusses the laws of two wives (Devarim 21:15), one of them is described as "hated." The next section discusses the wayward son (ibid. 18), which is no coincidence. The navi (Shmuel I, 1:6) calls a co-wife a tzara (a cause of pain). In all of Tanach, there is no polygamous relationship which is presented as an ideal union.
So why is the unfaithful wife worse than the unfaithful husband? Until recent times, relations made it very likely that children would be born, and the prospect of a husband having to raise his wife’s illegitimate child was unfair to the husband financially and emotionally. If a man took two wives, he would rightfully be responsible for the welfare of the children of both.
We will end off with another perspective. The waters that checked the sota to see if her denial of impropriety was correct only worked when the suspicious husband was free of any sexual impropriety himself (Yevamot 58a). The obligation of fidelity cuts two ways. No house can have the dwelling of the Divine Presence unless both he and she are worthy of it.
Reviewing the salient lessons: 1. Men and women must not become intoxicated, which opens the door to sin. 2. Ideally, a household has one husband and one wife. 3. The goal of a couple is to create a home for the Divine Presence, impacting both parents and children. 4. The obligation to be loyal is mutual in marriage, and it is the basis for peace and fraternity, within the family and in harmonious successful life.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
