Parshat Korach by: Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron בס"ד
לשכנו תדרשו
Discover the Holy Presence in the Holy Land
Motion of Electrons in Solid Matter
In both Parshat Hukat and Parshat Balak, there is a common theme of speaking with or to matter/animal that usually is not considered susceptible to vocalizing or receiving speech. In Hukat Moshe Rabeinu is ordered to speak to the rock, and in Parshat Balak Bilam’s donkey speaks with him. In science we see a similar matter in the form of motion of electrons in solid matter, signifying that even in inanimate solid objects there can be an aspect of motion, similar to the animal world. A very common usage of electrons in motion is in the form of electricity. Indeed according to the Kabbalah, there is an interconnectedness between different realms, primarily known as the four realms of solids, vegetation, animals, and speaking humans. This means that there may be “elements” of vegetation, animal, and speech embedded in solids and that there may be “elements” of the animal and speech in vegetation. Also according to the Kabbalah, there can be reincarnated souls of humans embedded in solids, vegetation, and animals.
In the context of the Land of Israel, the “Living Land,” the “living” aspect of the earth of the Holy Land takes on greater proportions. Indeed, according to the Arizal the rock hit by Moshe is related to the well of Miryam which is considered to be spiritually linked to the illumination of the Holy Land Israel were about to enter. According to the Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni) when Moshe Rabeinu was ordered to talk to the rock, Hashem’s intent was that he say a chapter of Torah and by such the rock would send out water. We may say, by the same token, that if the rock represents the illumination of the Land of Israel, so too the Land of Israel “gives its waters,” its spiritual illumination by studying Torah within it. This phenomenon becomes even clearer considering the fact that the Holy Presence resides with those occupied with Torah study, and also that the Holy Presence resides in the Land of Israel. Therefore, when Torah is studied in this Land the Power of the Holy Presence is magnified, giving blessing that “waters” the entire world. When this blessing is upon Israel, even the driest rock will give water, and even the donkey, as in Bilam’s donkey, signifying the lower “animalistic” world, will be given the gift of speech, causing all to bless Israel.
Hebron, Beacon of the Land of Israel, represents this “life and blessing” emanating from our Holy Land: within Hebron, the Holy Presence resides, and within Hebron our saintly Patriarchs and Matriarchs and many righteous, such as Rabbi Eliyahu Mani (whose yahrtzeit is this week – 8 Tamuz), the “Reshit Hochma, the “Sdei Hemed” , the “Hesed LeAvraham” and many more, who, due to their Godly stature, are considered “alive even after death” giving Israel blessing everlasting.
Miracles from the Holy Land: Operation Solomon, 1991
Seven years after the success of Operation Moses, which brought the first wave of Ethiopian Jews to Israel, the IDF embarked on the largest areal expedition in Israel’s history. 14,500 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel within 36 hours, onboard 34 Israeli Air Force flights. The bravery of the Ethiopian Jews, alongside the commitment of the IDF’s soldiers, made this operation truly miraculous.
Source: https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/our-soldiers/8-miraculous-moments-in-idf-history/