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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Korach
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Tanach
What needs investigation is the continuation of Moshe’s words: "I did not do evil to one of them (achad mehem)." What injustice was Moshe ruling out that we might have suspected? The Pesikta explains that it just comes to dispute Korach and his entourage’s claim that Moshe and his brother were seeking to rule over the rest of the nation. Along the lines of the Pesikta , the Chizkuni explains these words that even to those who had wronged Moshe and logically deserved punishment or harsh treatment in response, like Datan and Aviram, Moshe did not do evil.
Midrash Rabba has an interesting explanation. Moshe was saying: "I did not obligate the exempt or credit he who was obligated." What is particularly interesting about this explanation is that it assumes correctly that it is a disservice for a litigant who deserves to lose a case to end up winning the case improperly.
The Ramban comments as follows. Although Moshe was considered like a king, he did not force people to work for him, escorting his chariot or otherwise, nor did he favor anyone in judgment or disgrace anyone. The Ramban, who knew the kings of Spain, understood that the standard practice of kings was to cause hardship to others in an effort to elevate their status or place fear in their subjects’ hearts. Moshe and Shmuel informed the people that they avoided such behavior.
Let us end off with the novel idea of the Meshech Chuchma. It is unfortunately a common practice in the world of politics, where people vie for positions of leadership, that candidates besmirch each other and try to gain by means of the disgrace of their rivals. In past times also, it was apparently common that one would burrow into his rival’s past and try to uncover unsightly information. These same candidates would act humble in relation to the populace to try to show their modest side. The Meshech Chuchma says that it is not a big deal to act humble in front of those in whose eyes one is trying to find favor. Rather, one should lower his head in regard to achad mehem, in other words, before the prominent among the nation who are rivals. This is something that Moshe succeeded in, and it is a sign of the true humility that caused Hashem to refer to him as the most humble person on the face of the earth (Bamidbar 12:3).
How important it is to learn even a little from Moshe Rabbeinu’s example!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.