YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Chukat
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!.
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
