Complaints of Bnei Yisrael

Found 31 Search results

Sefer BeMidbar: From Doubt to Debate
Atara Snowbell
תאריך פרסום: תשעב | | 56 minutes
After 38 years of wandering in the desert, in what way do the complaints of the new generation differ from the old? Why do they deserve to enter the Promised Land?
The Sin of Moshe and Aharon
Prof. Jonathan Grossman
What was the sin of Moshe and Aharon at Mei Meriva? This lesson suggests an explanation based on the comparison to Parashat Beshalah in particular, and the nation's complaints about water in general.
Zealousness for Moshe
Prof. Jonathan Grossman
Why was the episode of Kivrot Ha-Taava; Moshe’s breaking point? What is the essential difference between this episode and all of the other complaints of Bnei Yisrael?
Moshe vs. "the Lustful": Leadership in Crisis
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
An analysis of the episodes of the Mitonenim (the complainers) and the Mitavim (those who desired meat) clarifies the essence of the complaints, and examines the solution God offers: the seventy elders and the prophecy of Eldad and Medad.
"You Shall Not Explore After Your Heart and After Your Eyes..."
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
What is the relationship between the mitzvah of tzitzit and the Sin of the Spies that precedes it? What links these two episodes with the previous ones – the travels of the camp, Moshe and Hovav, and the complaints about the manna? The tzitzit reminds Bnei Yisrael that they need to put their trust in God. The Sin of the Spies stemmed from a simplistic perception of reality, instead of a spiritual one. The sin might also relate to Moshe’s request of Hovav: “Please, do not leave us… you shall be our eyes.”
Parashat Chukat - A Watershed in Sefer Bamidbar
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
The events described in Parashat Chukat occurred on the fortieth year of Bnei Yisael's journey through the desert. The nation at this point in history comprised of the children of those who sinned in the Sin of the Spies. This fact sheds new light on their complaints.
Bnei Yisrael - the New Generation
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Why is Moshe and Aaron’s response to the complaint at Mei Meriva different than their response to other complaints? Apparently Moshe and Aharon had expected the Second Generation to act differently than the generation they had led out of Egypt. God responds to the complaint by sending snakes to attack the nation, and as a solution commands the creation of the Bronze Serpent. Bnei Yisrael eventually learn to believe in God, and finally act independently of their leaders, when they sing the Song of the Well, and conquer the land of Sihon.
The Hand of Moshe and the Hand of God
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 33 minutes
Do Moshe’s hands really determine the battle outcome? This shiur offers a three part comparison among the events Amalek War, Masa u-Meriva, and Yam Suf. The people have a crisis of faith –will God save them again? At Yam Suf, the people were supposed to passively watch, but when they have to act, will they also recognize God’s Hand?
Of Lusts and Laments (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |
Why is Moshe in such a crisis over the complaint of Bnei Yisrael? Bnei Yisrael have complained or misbehaved before, but this time Moshe says to God that the burden is too heavy and wishes to die. Examining this episode in context and looking at Yitro’s arrival in Shemot help to shed light on the situation.
Slave Mentality
Rabbi Alex Israel | 41 minutes
This parasha is very exciting –there is a building crescendo leading up to the miraculous splitting of the sea. But then Bnei Yisrael complain after a lack of food and water. Is God really leading the nation and providing for Bnei Yisrael? By examining literary structure and themes, and with the help of other texts, we will look at the educational message underlying the parasha.
Meat vs. Spirit
Rabbi Alex Israel | 40 minutes
Chapter 11 in Bemidbar relays the story of Kivrot ha-taava. How many stories are in the chapter? Three main questions are explored: Why does the structure of this parsha mix together two stories? Why is Moshe in such a crisis? And what is the significance of the story of the 70 Elders at this juncture?
Korach and the Power of Democracy
Rabbi Alex Israel | 39 minutes
One troubling aspect of Parshat Korah is that the rebellion never dies down. That seems to be because there are real issues here - Moshe and Aharon seem to have all the closeness to God, and the people do not share in the leadership or decision-making. So what was the problem with Korach? Is it possible for non-Leviim to attain holiness? The example of Shmuel ha-Navi provides a key.
Beshallah: The Complaints Begin
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau | 40 minutes
Our parasha is the one in which the complaints of the Israelites in the desert begin. With the help of classical commentaries, we will explore the nature of the complaints in this parasha and the reaction of Moshe in light of similar stories elsewhere in the Torah.
Choosing to be Redeemed
Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Brandes
One of the values embedded in the many commandments that commemorate Yetziat Mitzrayim, is the education toward choosing to be included in those who view themselves as redeemed, and not among those who grumble and complain.
The Three Books of Bamidbar
Rabbi Yair Kahn
According to Chazal, the section of this week's parasha beginning with "vayehi b'nesoa ha'aron" serves to split the entire book of Bamidbar into three independent books. What is the meaning of this statement, and which roles do each of the "fragments" of the book of Bamidbar play? By answering this question we can learn about the goal of Sefer Bamidbar - containing a profound truth about the essence of Am Yisrael, their relationship to God, and the fulfillment of their destiny.
The Three Books of Bamidbar (Audio)
Rabbi Yair Kahn | 15 minutes
According to Chazal, the section of this week's parasha beginning with "vayehi b'nesoa ha'aron" serves to split the entire book of Bamidbar into three independent books. What is the meaning of this statement, and which roles do each of the "fragments" of the book of Bamidbar play? By answering this question we can learn about the goal of Sefer Bamidbar - containing a profound truth about the essence of Am Yisrael, their relationship to God, and the fulfillment of their destiny.
The Second Generation of the Desert
HaTanakh.com Staff
Deja Vu All Over Again
Avidan Freedman
When “Sorry” Ain’t Enough
Rabbi Ben-Tzion Spitz
The "Waters of Contention"
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
Why didn't Moshe and Aharon merit to bring Am Yisrael into the land of Israel? This article attempts to answer this question by examining the contrast between the nation who left Egypt and journeyed through the desert, and the new generation ready to enter the land of Israel. Were Moshe and Aharon suitable to lead the new generation?
The Emergence of the Second Generation
Rabbi Yair Kahn
Parshat Hukkat introduces the new generation, who are meant to triumph in the areas their predecessors failed. However, a cursory glance at our parsha leads to the concerning conclusion that seemingly nothing has changed. The members of the second generation repeat the same mistakes of the previous generation: complaining about food and water, desiring to return to Egypt, among others. However, a closer examination of the text reveals crucial differences between the two generations.
The Oral Law and the Secret of "Eikha"
Rabbi Yaakov Medan
Moshe in the Torah, Yishayahu in the Prophets, and Yirmiyahu in the Writings, all express their amazement at the situation and fate of the nation of Israel using the same expression - "eikha" - and our Sages teach that this is no coincidence. The three questions are connected to one another, and they share a single answer. By closely examining the qualities of Moshe as a leader and of Bnei Yisrael as a nation in the desert, we learn the importance of connecting the Written Law with the Oral Law, the Torah of speech, which are the threads that will join Moshe and Bnei Yisrael anew into a single entity.
Beha'alotekha and Beshallach - Complaining about Meat
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 16 minutes
Parashat Behaalotekha seems to parallel Parashat Beshallach. Bnei Yisrael complain that they want meat. In both instances, we can see that despite the fact that they are asking for something legitimate, Bnei Yisrael are chastised for the way they formulate their response.

Studying this parasha can help us put proportion into our eating. There are lessons about the place of food in our lifestyle, and putting things into proper perspective: beyond sustenance, how important should food be?
The Tone of the New Generation in the Desert
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell
תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | | 17 minutes
This parsha takes a quantum leap into the future - we suddenly find Bnei Yisrael in the 40th year of the desert journey. This new generation once again complains about the lack of water and bemoans having left Egypt. What has changed from the previous generation? Moshe is punished- why aren’t they?

This new complaint is different than that of the previous generation. Though the new generation also invokes Egypt, they do not really want to go back to Egypt- they do not even remember Egypt. They are not encumbered with a slave mentality. This parasha contains a message for leaders: leaders and educators have to keep their fingers on the pulse of their community and understand what the issues of their current constituents are.
Complaints after the Ketoret Test
Rabbi David Silverberg
Ramban on Beshallach: Tze'aka - Crying Out
Rabbi Ezra Bick | 37 minutes
We will look at two different comments by Ramban on two different verses relating to the word “tza’ak” – to cry out. Bnei Yisrael were on the banks of the sea, on the cusp of freedom, when they saw Egyptians chasing them. Fearful, they cried out. What does “cry out” mean here, though?

There seems to be a contradiction. On the one hand, they are crying out to God – isn’t prayer a good thing? But on the other hand, they seem to accuse Moshe of leading them to the sea to die. What is going on here?

One possibility is that different groups had different reactions – different attitudes and different types of “cries.” Sadly, though, there can be a psychologically reality wherein people blame the person in the lower position. They may think “God is good, but his servant is messing things up.” That may be why the Torah emphasizes that, at the splitting of the Sea, the people “believed in God and in his servant, Moshe.”
Shelach: Optimism vs. Pessimism
Rabbi David Fohrman |
In this week's parsha video, we ask, are pessimists just rationalists, and is hope just naivete? Rabbi Fohrman points out an intriguing language parallel and argues that hope always exists, but we must direct it towards the future, not the past.

If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.
Korach: Can We Change God's Mind?
Rabbi David Fohrman |
In this week's parsha video, Rabbi Fohrman points to two fascinating stories which seem to have contradictory lessons about the way we interact with God. These stories force us to ask a theological question: what impact, if any, can we have on God? Is it possible for us to influence God?

If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.
Complaints
Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky
Parshat Behaalotcha Part 5: The Desire for Meat and Moshe's Leadership Challenge
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 26 minutes
This podcast describes Bnei Yisrael’s complaints about the manna. Many questions that arise regarding this episode lead us to realize that these complaints may be pointing to a deeper problem than merely food deficiencies.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Commissioner for Public Complaints
Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky