YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
The Torah study is dedicatedin honor of
Shimon Ben Mazal
Rashi (based on the Targum) says that it means that Bnei Yisrael caused him to be excluded from the Land. The recount of Tehillim (106:32) indicates this as well: "They caused anger at the waters of quarreling, and it was bad for Moshe because of them." The Ramban also explains that not only did their sins cause them grief, but they did for Moshe as well.
Midrash Tanchuma has a fascinating approach to the exchange. Hashem told Moshe: I made two oaths: 1) You will not enter the Land; 2) I will not destroy Bnei Yisrael. I cannot undo both. If you would like to live and Bnei Yisrael will be destroyed, this can be done. Moshe responded that he and a thousand like him should die and one of Yisrael should not be lost. This explains the linkage between Moshe and Bnei Yisrael, alluded to in the pasuk. However, no explanation is offered for the rationale of the linkage between the oaths.
The Pesikta takes yet another approach. "For you" refers to the prospect of Moshe leading Bnei Yisrael during the time of techiyat hametim (resurrection of the dead). This neither seems to be strongly supported by the simple meaning of the pasuk nor explains the connection to techiyat hametim. Yalkut Shimoni says that we learn a moral lesson from the episode. Moshe claimed that he was to die because he had spoken negatively about Bnei Yisrael. If Moshe, who had spoken mildly against Bnei Yisrael, was excluded from the Land for that reason, imagine the sin of someone who speaks very harshly against them.
The Meshech Chochma points out that several p’sukim later Moshe returned to the theme of not entering Eretz Yisrael, this time connecting it to the warning to avoid idolatry upon entering the Land. What is the point of the connection? Many cultures confer god-like status to human beings, which is diametrically opposed to authentic Judaism. The generation of Jews who left Egypt knew Moshe as one who had grown up in their midst and, with all due respect to him, did not treat him as a deity. However, says the Meshech Chochma, regarding the new generation who knew Moshe only as the godly leader who separated himself from his wife, did not eat for 40 days and nights, and otherwise was other-worldly, there was a real fear that he would be seen as idol in the most real sense of the word. Therefore, Moshe had to die before they entered the Land lest Bnei Yisrael make a mistake in this regard. How great must the precautions be to avoid cardinal misconceptions in the basic tenets of Judaism!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.