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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Shlach Lecha
"Shlach". The Rav traced the events beginning with Bahaalotcha and ending in Korach, which explain the sequence surrounding the story of the Meraglim. Needless to say it is impossible to present them in the short space allotted for this Dvar Torah. I therefore have chosen to present one point of the Rav’s discussion, which I believe is very relevant to our situation in Eretz Yisrael today.
The Rav ztl, asked why Hashem chose to command the Mitzvah of Challah after the events of the Meraglim. Would it not have been more appropriate to place this mitzvah together with the other tithes that Hashem commanded us to give - namely Trumot and Maasrot.
The difference between them is that while we plant and reap the fruits of the earth, the finished product is not up to us but to Hashem. Whereas in the case of challah , we take the raw materials with which Hashem endowed us and we produce the finished product. Trumot and Maasrot are a "Chovat Hakarka", a requirement of the growth, which Hashem produces. Challah is a requirement of the results of our own creation.
The Rav told the story from the Midrash which recounts the discussion between Turnus Rufus and Rabbi Akiva.Turnus Rufus asked Rabbi Akiva if Hashem detests the uncircumcised why did He not create man circumcised from birth. Rabbi Akiva answered him by asking him what is preferable, the grain or the cookie. Turnus Drufus replied that the product was more desireable. Rabbi Akiva then responded that we do not find cookies growing on trees. Hashem provides us with the raw materials and it is our responsibility to seize the opportunity to use these materials in order to create. So it is with circumcision.
The Mitzva of Challah teaches us that prosperity is earned based on our willingness to share the product of our efforts.
So it is with Eretz Yisrael. The meraglim failed to understand that the ‘Segulah " - "Uniqueness" of Eretz Yisrael should be united with the "Segulah" "Uniqueness"of
Am Yisrael. Moshe Rabeinu wanted the Meraglim to see the connection between Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael. It is only through this awareness that Eretz Yisrael becomes our Eretz Zavat Chalav U’Dvash. The effort that we put into creating a unique Eretz Yisrael will determine whether Eretz Yisrael becomes our land and heritage.
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.
