Considering why the Red Heifer ritual is mentioned at the end of the 40 years in the desert, as opposed to the rest of the Temple rituals mentioned in Leviticus. Hint: It has to do with body building, not going to the bathroom, and - you guessed it - the Land of Israel.
Rav Kook explains why the constructive punishment for murder was the destruction of Y'rushalayim & exile from Israel. G-d loves life and is the force behind all life, and in fact, defines "Good" as "Life". The goal of the Torah is Tahara or Life, and accordingly murder, or the taking of life is not only tragic morally but ideologically and philosophically, stands, like Tum'ah, in total contradiction to the message of life, which supersedes the other mitzvot. Israel is meant to be a life-educating "Light to the Nations" from Y'rushalayim, through building an ideal Jewish State, but if we aren't fulfilling that goal, then our capitol and national life are counter-productive.
comparing our relationship to the Land of Israel with the relationship between a man and his wife. In keeping with the analogy presented by a famous kabbalist, encouraging all Jews to embrace our bride, the Land of Israel.
In this week's Torah reading of Baha'alotcha Hashem pushes the Jewish people towards the land of Israel. During the journey, the Jewish nation complained about the length and the pace of the trip. Why was the journey so arduous?
