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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Balak
The root that comes up no less than 14 times in the narrative of Bilam is davor, which is used both to mean speech and in the word davar (thing, matter). He discussed the things he would say, listening to what Hashem would say, speaking to Balak, Balak speaking to him…
We have explained in the past that the root davor can be a sign of prophecy, as we find by the devarim that Moshe said (Devarim 1:1), that Yirmiyahu said (Yirmiyahu 1:1), and that Yaakov was careful about (Bereishit 37:11).
This time, we will go in the direction of another usage of the root – the realm of tefilla (prayer). We saw it last week when Moshe was commanded to speak to the stone (Bamidbar 20:8), and instead Moshe hit the stone twice (ibid. 11).
The Netziv (Bamidbar 20:13) relates to this event the riddle-like words of Chazal on the pasuk (Shir Hashirim 7:6): "Your head is upon you like carmel, and the strands of your head are like purple fabric, a king is detained in the rehatim (channels?)." Vayikra Rabba (31:4) comments on the pasuk as follows: "Your head is upon you like carmel" refers to the prayer of Eliyahu, who went up to the Carmel: "and the strands of your heads are like purple fabric" refers to the prayers of David. "A king is detained in the rehatim" refers to Moshe who did not pray but rather hit, and therefore Hashem decreed upon him that he would not enter Eretz Yisrael because of the rehatim of the "waters of quarrels."
The following is how the Netziv, the Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin, the mother of the pre-Holocaust yeshivot, continued this theme of the tefillot of men of great spirituality. "Indeed, our Rabbis of blessed memory removed the veil from this wonderful matter. Even when Hashem clearly wants to bring an abundance of good, and there is no need at this time to awaken Heavenly mercy, still it is His desire that people will pray first, because this is the manner in which the Creator set matters."
So we have learned something new – prayers can be called speech and fit the root of davor. While Bilam’s own tefillot were not intended to bring good to Am Yisrael, but rather the opposite, his words have become a major part of our legacy and our prayers. The vision of our nation that Hashem publicized through Bilam, made it possible for us to sharpen our view of what we can be and what we should pray for.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
