Sign In Forgot Password

YIP Parsha Project Parshat Korach

06/17/2014 04:41:10 PM

Jun17

YIP Parsha Project

Korach                                                                                                         Daniel Albert

 

This Dvar Torah is in merit of the safe recovery of Yaakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah, Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim, and Eyal ben Iris Teshurah.

“They [Datan and Aviram] said, ‘We will not go up! Is it a small thing that you have brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, that you make yourself a prince over us? Furthermore, you did not bring us to a land flowing with milk and honey nor give us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? We will not go up!’ Moshe became very angry… (16:12-15)

The Abarbanel explains that Datan and Aviram were really trying to say that, we will not listen to Moshe and go into Eretz Yisroel. We don’t believe you! You have neither given us fields and vineyards to inherit nor brought us into a good land.

The Sforno explains further that Datan and Aviram asked why they were taken from a land flowing with milk and honey, meaning Egypt, and now you haven’t brought us into the Land that you have promised. They then complained about the mitzvot pertaining to the work in Eretz Yisroel because they were commanded before the land was given, as if the land was already given to them.

The Midrash Shochar Tov explains even further, that the crux of their complaints was not necessarily the tricks they thought being played by Moshe of giving them mitzvot before the giving of the land, but rather they wanted a land that would be totally free of mitzvot.

Accroding to the Vilna Gaon, what really angered Moshe was the fact that Datan and Aviram had called Egypt the land flowing with milk and honey. How could someone insult Hashem and his land like that? Not only did they hold the land that enslaved them, a land of exile, so highly esteemed, but they used a description that Hashem had set aside for Eretz Yisroel.

In Eicha (1:1), the Land of Israel is described as “a widow.” The Gemara in Sanhedrin explains that Eretz Yisroel is not an actual widow, but ‘rather like a woman whose husband went overseas and intends to return to her.” Now, would it be right for a man who plans on returning to his wife to praise the beauty of another woman? Of course not! Someone who truly loves his long-lost wife would not be attracted to other woman, even if he does recognize that they are beautiful as well. Likewise, we should have the same respect for Eretz Yisroel, while we can appreciate the beauty of Hahsem’s handiwork in other countries, Eretz Yisroel is our home and we should save our true love, appreciation, and praises for her.

 (Interestingly: The title of the book “Eim HaBanim Semeicha” is derived from the same concept. The author tells a story of a daughter and father trying to cross the border of their country and were apprehended by the military. Pesach time was approaching, and every day the mother would sit outside awaiting the return of her husband and daughter. As the last day of Pesach approached, word got to the wife that her husband and daughter were taken to prison, but they were just released and were on their way home. She was so happy, that she couldn’t just sit outside her house like she normally did, she went running and met them halfway. The author knows this story true, because it happened to him and his daughter. He said that the same applies to Eretz Yisroel. The Land knows we’re imprisoned, in Galut, exile, and is anxiously awaiting us to come home, and when we do, it’ll come running to meet us out of her excitement that her children are home.)

We should merit to soon be able to praise and appreciate the true beauty of Eretz Yisroel, speedily in our days.

Good Shabbos.

132 Southern Parkway Plainview, NY 11803
Phone: (516) 433-4811
Email: info@yiplainview.com ~ Web: www.yiplainview.com and facebook.com/yiplainview
Rabbi: Elie Weissman    ~    President: Brian Berns

View Profile  | Unsubscribe

 

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784