(Bamidbar: 19:1- 22:2)    

(Shoftim 11:1-33)    

(Pirkay Avot 5)

1. [19:21] “…he that sprinkled the water of sprinkling shall wash his clothes…” This water purified a person from the impurity of touching a dead body. Those who prepared the “water of sprinkling” and the sprinkler himself became impure, even though they caused others to be pure. Those who caused others to be pure became impure. Is there a natural explanation for this? Where do we see this phenomenon in modern life?

2. [20:10] “Listen, you rebels, can we bring water out of this rock?” The Rambam says that this statement was the reason that Moshe was punished and not allowed to enter the land of Israel. What is the meaning of this statement? Was Moshe being cynical? Was he trying to educate? Why is this statement considered sinful?

3. [21:21] “And from Matanah to Nachliel, and from Nachliel to Bamot.” The Chassidic masters say that these stopping-places in the desert represent levels of spiritual growth. Should a person be aware of his or her steps in spiritual growth, or is it better to grow without being self-conscious about it?

4. [Shoftim: 11:1] “And Yiftach the Gileadite was a mighty person, and he was the son of a prostitute…” Yiftach was rejected by his brothers and lived an unproductive life before he became a hero. Many of our heroes and great people come from backgrounds that are dishonourable—including King David who is the ancestor of the Messiah. What is our tradition trying to teach us with this fact?

5. [Pirkay Avot: 5:21] “Anyone who serves the community (out of pure motivation), sin will not come through him…” What qualities does a person who serves the community (out of pure motivation) have that assure the fact that sin will not come through him?

Commentary

The clear and straight mind is the basis of everything—the feeling of goodness and truth–with an inner understanding which is not diverted by anything in the world. This is the path of Light which brings the community and the individual to eternal happiness…

1. Avraham Y. H. Kuk, 1865-1935, Lithuania and Israel.

This study page is dedicated to the memory of Gad Eliahu ben David and Kochava—Eli Zucker

And this study page is dedicated to the memory of Sarah Bella bat Yitzchak Kummer, Chaim Yosef Yechiel ben Eliyahu Kummer and Eliyahu and Margaret Kummer