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The disciples of Rabbi Akiva were punished because they did not accord # 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 2 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:22 | SR:-- | Black 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS -
each other sufficient honor. They did not consider their colleagues greater
than themselves. This is the definition of the maxim, “Either a friend or
death.” Without a friend from whom one can learn, life is worthless.
What was the unique virtue of Rashbi, causing the masses to converge
exclusively upon his grave every day? This can be explained based on the
incident regarding Rabbi Akiva’s shiur. Rashbi sat at the back and became
depressed. Rabbi Akiva consoled him by saying, “It is enough for you that
Hakadosh Baruch Hu and I recognize your greatness.” Rashbi was
certainly not looking for respect. He wanted to sit up front in order to have
the chance to work on his middot, considering those sitting in the back as
greater than himself.

Rashbi sacrificed his life for the sake of Torah. He fought the Romans and
spoke disparagingly about them. This was to ward off any influence they
The Torah depicts the erection and dismantling of the Mishkan in great might have otherwise had on the Jews. The Chashmonaim behaved
Why were the members of Shevet Levi counted from the age of one detail. Also described at length is the arrangement of the tribe of Levi, similarly during the time of the Greeks. Theirs was a national victory,
month, when the rest of the nation was only counted from the age of who carried its parts, as well as the details of the vessels. This demands warranting a festival in commemoration. Rashbi, on the other hand, gained
twenty? Also, why is the term head count not used when counting Shevet explanation. All of the forms of forbidden labor on Shabbat, which apply a personal salvation from the hands of the Romans. Therefore, his hilula
Levi? to all generations, are learned only through allusions in the work of the is celebrated every year.

Why were Bnei Yisrael commanded to encamp according to their flags? Mishkan, which are not spelled out, whereas the details of assembling and Every sin and every forbidden sight influences a person. Each additional
Wouldn’t one large encampment under one flag encourage a greater sense dismounting the Mishkan, a provisional command applicable only for that sin increasingly veils one’s eyes, just like curtains that curtail the sunlight
of unity, whereas different flags might foster dissention? generation, were described in detail.
from entering a room. Therefore, it is crucial to rectify one’s sin
The word signifies greatness in Torah. Am Yisrael is capable of The Torah emphasizes the work done in assembling and dismounting the immediately, so that he should never fall into complete darkness.
growing in Torah only when each person recognizes his status, and Mishkan because it was the assignment of the tribe of Levi, those who
youngsters respect their elders. Encampment according to their flags by a toiled in Torah and did not sin with the Calf. Even while yet in Egypt,
precise arrangement trained the nation to adopt a lifestyle of order and they were involved in Torah study. Every person should learn from here
timeliness, the foundation of a Torah lifestyle. the importance of building a miniature Mishkan inside of himself.

The concept of a national flag indicates independence. Bnei Yisrael Hakadosh Baruch Hu commanded Moshe to instruct the people to observe
maintained the kedushah of the nation by encamping according to their two days of preparation prior to Matan Torah. Moshe, of his own accord,
flags, each tribe apart. This allowed them to keep their tents from facing added a day, instructing the nation to prepare for three days (Shabbat 87a).
each other. Bilaam, in his famous proclamation, “How goodly are your Hashem agreed with his reasoning. There are two principles to learn here. “Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, saying:
tents, O Yaakov, your dwelling places, O Israel” refers to this great level The first is the superiority of Shevet Levi, for Moshe, who came from that Take a census of the sons of Kehat from among
of tzeniut. shevet, received authorization from Hashem to add another day of the sons of Levi, according to their families,