Bernard S. Antin's Blog – June 2010 Archive (4)

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WHEN BAD PEOPLE HAVE GOOD IDEAS

Rabbi Nachman taught Chutzpah is effective even when directed towards Heaven for at first G-D told Bilam not to go with Balak’s first group of emissaries(BaMidbar 22:12) yet when Bilam asked again he was told (22:20) that he may indeed go. (Talmud Sanhedrin 105a)



Understanding Rabbi Nachman’s teaching is difficult as it appears contrary to what one might expect. The precise translation of chutzpah is so elusive that instead of a translation the term itself has become part of the… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 25, 2010 at 6:49am — No Comments

OPERATION SCROLL SHIELD

The time had arrived for Bene Yisrael to be on the move. Till now the nation’s contacts with other peoples was limited. The first attempt at diplomacy after some Thirty Eight years would mark a turning point as a nation. After some Thirty Eight years in isolation how will Ben Yisrael relate to others? How will others react to Bene Yisrael? Indeed the time had arrived for Bene Yisrael to learn how to navigate amid the diversity of humanity.



As Bene Yisrael approached Edom emissaries… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 17, 2010 at 10:15pm — No Comments

HIGHER CALLING

Korach stands out as the paradigm of one who leads a controversy not for the sake of Heaven (see Avoth 5:17). Yet remarkably Rashi ZT’L ZY’A commenting on 16:7 offers an elaborate justification for Korach’s actions. Rashi prefaces his remarks by observing that Korach was renowned as a clear thinker. Therefore, his challenge to Moshe A’H authority seems at the very least contrary to self…

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Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 11, 2010 at 2:48am — No Comments

SELF INTEREST NATIONAL DISASTER

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato ZT’L ZY’A says towards the end of Chapter 11 of Mesilath Yesharim based on the Zohar 158a that the spies’ sin was rooted in their concern that when Bene Yisrael enters the land they would their office of leadership.



The Zohar discusses at length that the spies’ concern overrode their prior level of piety. Losing their station as leaders was more important than national fulfillment by settling the Land of Israel. Living in a tent in the desert was preferred… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 4, 2010 at 3:00am — No Comments

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