Albert Einstein once explained that the difference between genius and idiocy is that genius has its limitations.
On a similar note, the difference between genius and anti-Semitism, is that genius has its limitations.
Balak was under great pressure to drive the Jews out of the land of Mo’av.
He sent emissaries to the infamous Bil’am requesting his help in removing the threat of conquest by the Jewish nation through the powers invested in Bil’am to bless and to curse…
The Torah records the tragic episode of the “Waters of Strife” which caused Moshe and Aharon to forfeit the great merit of entering the Holy Land.
7) The Lord said to Moses, 8) “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
9) So Moses took the staff as he was commanded by HaShem. 10) He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you disobedient uncompliant people, do you believe that we can bring you water out of this rock?” 11) Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the people and their livestock drank.
12) But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I give them.”
The tragic episode as it is presented in these verses is problematic.
At the present time we number over 6,250,000 Jews in Eretz Yisrael, more than at any time in Jewish history. We have returned from all parts of the globe, as testified to by our complexions – white, brown and dark. For many, our mother tongues are a cacophony of gentile languages, dialects and accents, yet we all speak the language of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov; the language that HaShem Himself uses when communicating with His Tzadikim.
Millions of Jews, returning to our holy roots; toiling, struggling and succeeding remarkably in rebuilding the land and lives which were destroyed 2000 years ago by the Romans.
Is this the redemption we so long prayed for? Is this the Mashiach?
The United States Supreme Court is responsible for interpreting the intent of their Founding Fathers who composed the Constitution, and as such the court expresses the collective soul of the American nation. And even if some or many citizens would not agree with their rulings, the entire American nation will be held responsible by the ultimate court of HaShem for decisions taken by their earthly Supreme Court.
This week the US Supreme Court passed a decision which bluntly and blatantly states that not only does the US not recognize Yerushalayim as the capital of Israel, but Yerushalayim is not even a part of the State of Israel. The immediate implication being that one who is born in Yerushalayim is considered by the US as not being born in Israel, hence may not write in any official US document that his country of birth is Israel.
The immediate reaction of Israelis to this decision was one of disgust and revulsion at this brazen act of betrayal by the US, even though this has been US policy since 1947.
Was Moshe blaming himself for not bringing the nation to their potential as HaShem’s chosen people? Was he blaming HaShem for not bringing the nation to Eretz Yisrael immediately after receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai? Was Moshe entertaining the thought that the prolonged slavery experience had perverted the people’s psyche to the extent that no amount of time or revelation would ever restore them to their regal status of their illustrious forefathers Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya’akov?
On the first of Nisan, in the second year of our exodus from Egypt, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) began functioning. Each of the first 12 days were highlighted by honoring the Nasi (president, head) of one of the 12 tribes to bring his personal sacrifices to the Mishkan.
The first Nasi was Nachshon ben Aminadav, from the tribe of Yehuda.
Commentaries explain that Nachshon was chosen to be first by virtue of his singular act of courage when he alone, of all the nation of Israel, followed Moshe’s dictate and jumped into the churning, turbulent Yam Suf (Red Sea) before the waters divided.
