G-D CAME TO BILAM AT NIGHT, SAYING TO HIM, "IF THE MEN CAME TO SUMMON YOU, ARISE AND GO WITH THEM. BUT ONLY THE WORDS I SPEAK TO YOU SHALL YOU DO." BILAM AROSE IN THE MORNING, SADDLED HIS DONKEY, AND WENT WITH THE OFFICERS OF MOAV. G-D'S ANGER FLARED BECAUSE HE WAS GOING... (Bamidbar 22:20-21).
Why was G-d angry with Bilam if He permitted Bilam to go?
Bilam did not tell the officers of Moav of G-d's condition for going. This was a desecration of G-d's name, for it seemed as if G-d wanted Bilam to curse the Jews. When G-d later did not permit such cursing, it seemed as if G-d is fickle like a human being. Because of Bilam's great desire to go, he did not want to reveal G-d's condition (Ramban).
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Korach
KORACH SON OF YITZHAR SON OF KEHOS SON OF LEVI TOOK, WITH DASAN AND AVIRAM SONS OF ELIAV, AND ON SON OF PELES, SONS OF REUVEN (Bamibar 16:1).
Why is Korach's lineage traced as far back as Levi? Torah does not usually identify people by their great-grandfather!
Korach's distinguished lineage shows how far he fell. Despite his family heritage he chose spiritual disgrace (Maharal).
Korach's identity as a Levite was a cause of controversy. Though he had a distinguished position Korach was jealous of those Levites who had a higher position within the tribe. Sons of Reuven joined the controversy as they harbored resentment at the Levites; their ancestor Reuven lost his first born status which was later assumed by the Levites (Rav Avigdor Miller).
Why is Korach's lineage traced as far back as Levi? Torah does not usually identify people by their great-grandfather!
Korach's distinguished lineage shows how far he fell. Despite his family heritage he chose spiritual disgrace (Maharal).
Korach's identity as a Levite was a cause of controversy. Though he had a distinguished position Korach was jealous of those Levites who had a higher position within the tribe. Sons of Reuven joined the controversy as they harbored resentment at the Levites; their ancestor Reuven lost his first born status which was later assumed by the Levites (Rav Avigdor Miller).
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Bamidbar
G-D SPOKE TO MOSHE IN THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI, IN THE TENT OF MEETING, ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH, IN THE SECOND YEAR SINCE LEAVING EGYPT...THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL ENCAMP, EACH MAN BY HIS FLAG ACCORDING TO THE SIGNS OF THEIR FATHERS' HOUSEHOLD, AT A DISTANCE AROUND THE TENT OF MEETING THEY WILL ENCAMP (Vayikra 1:2, 2:2).
Why did the Jewish people wait a year before organizing themselves with tribal flags?
The tribal flags potentially cause divisiveness. Each tribe may become devoted to itself at the expense of national unity. The nation needed to wait until the establishment of the mishkan. Then they could camp under tribal flags. The mishkan became a central focus uniting the nation. Only when the nation felt a common purpose could they also strengthen the identity and unique traits of each tribe (R. Yaakov Kamenetsky).
Why did the Jewish people wait a year before organizing themselves with tribal flags?
The tribal flags potentially cause divisiveness. Each tribe may become devoted to itself at the expense of national unity. The nation needed to wait until the establishment of the mishkan. Then they could camp under tribal flags. The mishkan became a central focus uniting the nation. Only when the nation felt a common purpose could they also strengthen the identity and unique traits of each tribe (R. Yaakov Kamenetsky).
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