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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
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The Torah goes out of its way to point out that Cheshbon had previously been wrested by Sichon from the monarch of Moab. Had it still been under the control of Moab, it would have been forbidden for Bnei Yisrael to take it since Moab had been placed off limits by God.
Thus the need for the historical note. But scripture goes on to tell us more about Cheshbon telling us:
"Al Ken Yomru Hamoshlim. Bo"u Cheshbon! Tiboneh V tikonen Ir Sichon!"
"Concerning this, the poets said, Come to Cheshbon! Let it be built and established as the city of Sichon!"
The Midrash in seeking to understand this seemingly unnecessary passage proceeds to discover in it a fundamental moral lesson.
It begins by noting that the term cheshbon also has the meaning of ‘calculation’
‘Bo’u Cheshbon! Let us calculate the potential loss that one might suffer from ding a mitzhah against its reward. And the reward seemingly gained from committing a sin against its ultimate loss.
Tiboneh V’Tikonen! If you do thus, you shall be built strong in this world and be established in the World To Come.
Perhaps we can distill a further lesson.
What in fact were the poets proposing? They were actually writing a commercial for the new city of Sichon that had been totally devastated in the previous war.
Bo’u Cheshbon! Come be one of the first settlers in the new city Cheshbon. Calculate all the benefits that you will reap. There promises to be a thriving economy into which you will be able to integrate. You will enjoy a cultural environment that only a metropolis can offer. Make the calculation and you will surely move into and help establish the new capital.
When a 20th century Jew decides to leave, from say, South Africa to Canada, the US or Australia, he carefully makes his cheshbon. Which economy is more promising? Where are the better universities for his children? Where are the streets more secure?
Perhaps, the Torah is instructing us that this kind of cheshbon is only appropriate for a non-Jewish location.
However, when it comes to considering Aliya, one must not make cheshbonot. There is a mitzvah of aliya. It must not be measured in mundane terms. After centuries of Galut, Eretz Yisrael is there to be had. Seize the opportunity and never look back!.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.