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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
"Six miracles happened to Pinchas" (Sanhedrin 82b). Otherwise, Pinchas would have been guilty of a capital crime and executed by Moshe’s court. "The angels wanted to shove him. Hashem said to them: ‘Leave him. He is a zealot the son of a zealot, an anger-soother the son of an anger- soother’" (ibid.). Thus, we see that even the Heavenly Court gave serious thought to intervening against him. "The tribes began mocking him: ‘Did you see the one whose maternal grandmother worshipped idols, and he kills the prince of a tribe in Israel?’ That is why the pasuk relates him to Aharon" (ibid.). Indeed, from a public relations perspective, Pinchas needed great help in the form of Moshe’s support according to Hashem’s instructions. After all, Pinchas assumed the responsibilities of a court of 23, and ruled in lieu of witnesses and warning to the perpetrator. On the other hand, had Pinchas not acted against the "intermarriage" of a Jewish leader on the eve of the entry to the Land, it could have sent a message that assimilation is acceptable, which could have undermined the nation’s future.
One lesson to learn is that one who dares to follow Pinchas’ approach to solving problems, even very severe ones, should take into account that he has no promises of Divine intervention on his behalf. Even with the help, Pinchas’ leadership suffered from the results of his zealotry. Pinchas was the nation’s spiritual leader after the death of Yehoshua and Pinchas’ father, Elazar. Chazal say that his leadership continued throughout most of the period of the Judges. He is mentioned in regard to the civil war that resulted from the rape of a concubine in Giva (Shoftim 20:28). Seder Olam says that he was still a leader hundreds of years later when Yiftach made an oath to sacrifice what turned out to be his daughter. Had either Yiftach or Pinchas approached the other the oath could have been nullified. However, each felt that it was inappropriate to sacrifice his status, and each was punished. In Pinchas’ case it is hinted at by the pasuk, "In the past, Hashem was with him" (Divrei Hayamim I, 9:20 - see Tosafot, Ta’anit 4a).
What stood out in the two times mentioned is that there was horrible fratricide, which took the lives of tens of thousands. Unfortunately, the spiritual leader of the time was not able, based on his own personal history, to carry out a public campaign under the slogan, "A Jew does not kill a Jew." The results were tragic. Let us remember in times of crisis that the idea that a Jew does not kill a Jew is as crucial as ever.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
