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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
The Smag (R. Moshe of Coucy, one of the ba'alei Tosafot) in his introduction to his counting of the mitzvot, tells of two dreams which he stresses he is not fabricating! G-d told him in a vision that he should write a new book counting the mitzvot, for the Rambam's Sefer HaMitzvot omits some of the most important commandments. The Smag awoke and got to work, but as he was completing the job, he received a second vision telling him that he also forgot that MOST IMPORTANT mitzva of don't be arrogant which leads to forgetting G-d (Dvarim 8, 11). Just as by Moshe, we must understand why modesty is so central to Torah?
Our first thought would probably be that one who is arrogant doesn't like to be told, even by Hashem, what to do! How much more so regarding the mitzvot bein adam l'chavero (morality between our fellow man), that an egoist has more difficulty not to put down others, not steal, etc. We also know that socially it's much more pleasant to be around thoughtful and considerate people, so society and the Jewish State gain.
But Rav Kook (Orot HaKodesh iii, p. 147) and his prized pupil Rav Charlap (MiMaynei HaYeshua, p. 12) stress that Jewish nationalism inevitably educates to humility & ALTRUISM, selfless giving, which is the key to G-dliness. It's the only possible reason why G-d created the world. As the Ramchal writes (Derech Hashem 1, 2), He doesn't lack or need anything, yet created the world out of the ideal of SELFLESS giving, which is the only motive which doesn't infer that He needed anything.
Living in the context of a Jewish State inevitably brings out in us that Godly altruism. The clearest example is the IDF where one gives 3 entire years, in addition to an annual month in milu'im (not to mention when we are at war, where my boys and sons-in-law have each done more than 400 days away from their wives, children, jobs and yeshivot), and if necessary even give their life for Am Yisrael. Giving time and money is great, but to even sacrifice your very life is as selfless as man can get. One can always volunteer anywhere in the world, but the obligation turns the IDF and Sherut Le'umi into a super-high NORM for all Israelis.
Even showering and flushing toilets in Israel, where there is a constant water shortage, demands us to be considerate. Only in Israel do we listen and follow the news obsessively, for all problems and issues are Jewish ones. If there is chalila a lost child or fire in any community, the Jews will obviously pitch in to help their fellow Jew, but in Israel, all lost children, fires, attacks, kidnapping etc. are all Jewish issues where we must constantly think altruistically, "how can I help out"? If you see a Yid with a kippa with his car broken down along the Chicago highway, we would all help out, but realize that in Israel, even if he is without a kippa it obligates me for he is just as Jewish as anyone.
The stereotype Israeli is often drawn as a kibbutznik, for that "all for one and one for all" is what having a Jewish State is about. I recall reading an article by a gentile sociologist whose thesis is that a culture's dance reflects it's view of society. When the waltz was in, the hugging of the man and woman expressed the strength of marriage and family. As the twist and disco evolved, it paralleled and expressed the turning inward of the "Me Generation". But he then showed the opposite phenomena in the Israeli Dance, the Hora, where the circle expands from the family unit and even includes everyone as partners and equal.
In short, living in a Jewish State, as the Tanach norm, and as obligated by the Rambam (Igrot HaRambam, p. 66), is not just good to prevent assimilation and fight anti-Semitism, for we have the home-court advantage (how much more important in a global world with global culture and anti-Semitism!), but actually helps us achieve humility emulating Moshe Rabbenu and even G-d Himself in the small actions of day to day life!
Shabbat Shalom! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
