Beit Midrash

  • Torah Portion and Tanach
  • V'zot Habracha
קטגוריה משנית
To dedicate this lesson
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Moshe’s final words to the Jewish people are words of love and blessing. He sees for them now only goodness and greatness, hope and satisfaction. He has already warned the people of Israel of his dark visions about their future and has advised them of the terrible costs that will be exacted from them in their long exile. But now his thoughts are to the future, to the greatness of the eternal people, to its resilience and stubbornness and to its tenacity. Moshe now, like his Creator, so to speak, will not see evil in Jacob nor will he see crookedness in Israel. Moshe who is the supreme realist nevertheless is determined to impress us that blessings overcome curses and that eventually goodness triumphs over evil and that the future is still within our grasp to improve and succeed. Not only does Moshe give general blessings to all of Israel - something which is relatively painless to do so - but he gives specific and pointed blessings to each tribe of Israel (except for Shimon, but a discussion of that exception warrants a different parsha sheet.) There are general blessings - one size fits all - that exist in our lives, blessings for health, success, prosperity and personal and national security. But there are specific blessings addressed to the circumstances, talents and abilities of each individual. Moshe speaks to this particular need and individual quality. No two tribes are alike and therefore their blessings have to differ. No two people are alike and no two people are therefore entitled to the exact same blessing. Extreme wealth (remember that?) can be a blessing to one person and a curse to someone else. There are many such blessings that have to be tailor made to each individual. Moshe teaches us that lesson in his final blessings to the people of Israel.

Moshe sees the Land of Israel from afar and is not allowed to actually enter its precincts. He envisions all of Jewish destiny until the last day. We are not told of the reaction of Moshe to this revelation of the future. There are times perhaps when one feels more privileged not to know too much regarding the future. I often think of the words of the rabbis that the righteous are taken away before great judgments and disasters strike the people of the Israel, so as not to have to endure the pain of witnessing those events. I therefore think that the Torah purposely does not record for us the reaction of Moshe to seeing all of the Jewish story unfold before him on his last moments on earth. But at least he is aware of the happy ending to the story as well, Israel restored to its land in security and prosperity. And that is the true blessing that he bestows upon his people. His serenity and confidence that all will eventually come right sustains us throughout our difficulties and trials. And his Torah marches with us towards that great day of complete redemption and triumph.
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Lessons
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    Yitro

    Only Those Who Live In The Land Love G-d

    The Torah threatens punishment for idol-worshipers that is only 1/500th of the reward that the righteous will receive: "Concerning My enemies, I keep in mind the fathers' sins for their descendants, [only] to the 3rd and 4th generations. But for those who love Me and keep My commandments, I show love for [at least two] thousands of generations" (Sh'mot 20,5-6). The punishment is for four generations, and the reward for 2,000 generations. But the question we would like to address is: Why are the righteous termed both "those who love Me" and "those who keep My commandments?" Is not one enough?

    Rabbi Moshe Tzuriel | Shvat 19 5783
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    3 min
    Shlach Lecha

    For God's Sake Don't Go To Israel

    Israel National Torah

    Clarifying the spies' argument for not entering the Land of Israel...and then clarifying why it's so important to enter the Land anyway.

    Baruch Gordon | Sivan 19 5780
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    Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions

    Serving as Chazan on the Shabbat Before a Yahrtzeit

    How important is it for someone to be chazan on the Shabbat before a yahrtzeit? Is it is just for parents, or also grandparents/in laws? Some people in my [the rabbi] shul feel that people use it as an excuse to “grab the amud.”

    Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tevet 2 5777
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    Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions

    How Many Eggs Should be Boiled Together?

    When making hardboiled eggs, may one cook one or two eggs or must there be at least three? Also, does it make a difference if there is an even or odd number

    Rabbi Daniel Mann
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    P'ninat Mishpat

    Introduction and Biography of the Noda B’Yehuda

    After an extended period of presenting ideas of the Chatam Sofer on monetary disputes, we move on to a shorter series on the works of Rav Yechezkel Segal Landau, often called the Noda B’yehuda. (Although Rav Landau served as a dayan for many years, poskim do not usually publicize their rulings on cases in which they served as a dayan, but on questions asked by other rabbis. The Noda B’yehuda did not include many such cases in his reponsa.) Many view the Chatam Sofer and the Noda B’Yehuda as two of a kind. They were in the same basic time period (Rav Landau was around 50 years older), they were important rabbis of important communities at critical times, and the works of each are among the most respected and quoted by Acharonim.

    Various Rabbis | Tevet 8 5776
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    Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions

    Working in a Non-Kosher Establishment

    Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 14 5775
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    Prayer

    Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings

    Chapter nine-part one

    Chapter nine-part one

    Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
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    Jewish Holidays

    The Twentieth of Sivan

    "I noticed that the back of my siddur contains a large section devoted to selichos for the 20th of Sivan, yet I have never davened in a shul that observed this day. What does this date commemorate?"

    Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 17 5780
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    Additional Lessons

    The Laws of Tumas Meis

    When the Beis Hamikdash is rebuilt, bimheirah beyameinu, the laws of tumah will affect us all, since we will be required to be tahor in order to enter the Beis Hamikdash, to eat korbanos and maaser sheini, and in order to separate challah and terumah.

    Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772
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    Basics of Financial Laws

    How Does a Heter Iska Work?

    What is the prohibition of "Ribbit"? who does it apply on? How does the "Heter Iska" bypass the prohibition? and more...

    Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5770
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    Marriage and Relationships

    Relationships during the Time of Engagement

    A young engaged man and his fiancée naturally have very strong feelings for each other. It goes without saying that these will be expressed after the wedding, but what expression, if any, is permitted in the meantime? And while we're on the subject, is the attraction of men and women to each other really a good thing to begin with?

    Rabbi Elyakim Levanon | 5770
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    Other Great Leaders

    That a Cohen May Not Marry a Divorcee

    A few days later, a royal emissary of the Empress Maria Teresa appeared at the rabbi’s home. The surprised rabbi realized that the wealthy Jew had broken the convention by which Jews did not involve non-Jews in their inner disputes. He had no choice.

    Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 5769
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