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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
A necessary condition for going out to war is a census: "From twenty years old and up, all that go out to the army (tzava) in Israel; you and Aaron shall count them by their tzava" (Bamidbar 1:3). Notably, all censuses in Tanach relate to military service and preparation for war. The Netziv (head of the famous Volozhin Yeshiva) explains:
"They were likened at that time to a king going at the head of his army... no king goes by himself... but in a camp of honor and dignity... so was it required for the dwelling of the Divine Presence ... since they were counted only for those who go out to the army, we were worthy to be counted in the King’s legion for the war... and the Kingdom of Heaven is like the kingdom of the earth" (Ha’emek Davar, Bamidbar 1:1).
His words teach two important things: the entire nation is considered an army; the number of soldiers is what ensures the dwelling of the Shechina.
Military service occupies a central place in the beginning of Bamidbar. In the tribal counts, the expression "all that go out to the army" appears over ten times, and "every man by his camp and... his banner" appears over twenty times.
In B’ha’alotcha, the nation sets out as an organized army. Immediately following this are the p’sukim we say when opening the aron hakodesh: "And it was when the ark traveled, and Moshe said: Arise, Hashem, and let Your enemies be scattered..." (Bamidbar 10:35-36). The aron is the symbol of the Shechina; it accompanies Israel into battle. Thus, we have a source for the Netziv's teaching of connecting army and Shechina.
The section on the chatzotzrot (trumpets) describes several of their uses. In addition to use to organize the journey, the Torah commands their use both during war against an oppressor and on "days of happiness," holidays, and new months (see ibid.10:9-10). What is the connection between their use for war and for holidays?
Ibn Ezra explains that the days of happiness are when the army returned victorious and the people established a holiday (e.g., Purim and Chanuka). According to his view, we should establish festivals to mark victories.
In Ibn Ezra’s times, these words referred to a future redemption. In our generation, this dream has become a reality. The necessary condition was the establishment, with Hashem’s mercy, of an independent Jewish state in our ancestral land. Only a strong Israeli army, with participation from all sectors of the public, can ensure these miracles continue.
We will continue to thank Hashem on the established days of gratitude for the immense miracles of our generation. We call on all our brothers to join the Israel Defense Forces to ensure the continuation of the ingathering of exiles and victory over our enemies.
We call for everyone to "recognize the good" and join those thanking Hashem for the State and the liberation of the Land from foreign occupiers. We pray for unity, safety, the healing of the wounded, and comfort for the bereaved families. We will sound the trumpets in both gratitude and prayer.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
