Machshava:

Religious Zionism,  Shavuot 

Holidays:

Yom Yerushalayim 

Parsha:

Bamidbar 

Collections: R' Shvat on the Holidays

Description

Parshat Bamidbar not only counts the Jewish soldiers as we are about to liberate the Land of Israel, but also teaches how the Israeli army must stress the national, but also the individual! Why was prayer originally not obligatory, but rather we became close to G-d through Kohanic service and pilgrimage to Yerushalayim? Why is Judaism not only a religion but also a nationality? What is the relationship between the importance of one's individualism & his loyalty to his nation, in the Torah? What is the symbolism of Jerusalem & why is it so central to us?