Some people ask if it is permitted to endanger oneself for the sake of the honor of the People of Israel. It seems from this week's Torah portion that the answer is yes.
Yosef & His Brothers / The National Religious & the Left
A comparison of the relationship between the left-wing and the Jewish population of Judea and Samaria (Yesha), and the first ten sons of the Patriarch Yaakov and their young brother Yosef.
Relations between Israel's left and the settler community seem to mirror the sort of relations that existed between Joseph and his brothers. The settlers, like Joseph, dream messianic dreams about the redemption of Israel; the brothers are spiteful.
The success of the nations finds expression in the dislocation of the hip joint. They succeed only in causing us to limp. Though they manage to slow down the pace of Israel's advance toward the final redemption, they are unable to stop us entirely.
In studying the ways of creation, we must remember that everything evolves from one ultimate source - the Torah. The Torah is the inner essence of all worldly matters. Creation is a mere manifestation - a reflection of the true essence, the Torah.
The Torah is the Universe's source. It is not like a blueprint that can be discarded once the construction is finished and the structure stands on its own; it is not like an idea that, after it has been actualize, can be forgotten.
The Sin of the Generation of the Flood symbolizes the world's drive to satisfy its base physical desires, while that of the Generation of the Tower of Babel represents spiritual rebellion and denial of God's rule in the world.