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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sefirat Haomer
- The Meaning Sefirat Ha'omer
As it is written (Leviticus 23, 15-16):
"And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the day of rest, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the waving; seven weeks shall there be complete;
even unto the morrow after the seventh week shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall present a new meal-offering unto the LORD."
Shavuot has no definitive date in the Torah. Only the counting of the Omer enables us to determine the exact time. Why is there no date for Shavuot? The Chizkuni explains that if there was a set date, we may not be so careful with the counting, but rather simply depend on the date of the holiday. Since the actual counting is so important and "great things depend on its counting", the Torah made certain that the counting be observed meticulously.
Why is it so important to count the Omer? The Ramban explains that the purpose of counting is to connect Pesach and Shavuot and to create one continuous holiday over 49 days. Pesach is the first day of Yom Tov, Shavuot is the last day of Yom Tov and the interim days are like Chol Hamoed.
Why is it so important to connect Pesach and Shavuot?
However, the Torah does not explicitly mention this spiritual viewpoint. It mentions only the agricultural aspect. The counting of the Omer is presented as a process that begins with bringing the sheaves of barley on Pesach, and culminates with bringing the two loaves of wheat on Shavuot. In other words, this is a process related to various crops. In addition, there is a progression from barley – animal feed – to wheat suited for human consumption. In any case, this process reflects the material side of counting the Omer and the expression of gratitude – not the transition from the exodus to the giving of the Torah.
This is a statement of great importance. The Torah does not merely discuss the material, agricultural side per se, but rather the crops of Eretz Yisrael in general. In the Land of Israel, there is spiritual meaning even to agriculture and farming. Agriculture in Israel emanates from a wellspring of holiness. It is related in its very essence to the role and place of Am Yisrael. The celebration of the new harvest is a celebration for the entire people (and therefore overrides Shabbat.)
This joyous period, therefore, connects the physical exodus to receiving the Torah on Shavuot. It connects our gratitude for the agriculture Hashem gave us in our Land with the understanding that the agriculture in our Land emanates from a wellspring of holiness. It symbolizes our transition from an aggregate of individuals to the building of a nation – a status which endows us with the privilege of receiving the Torah.
Counting the Omer is not simply an external act. We also progress each day through the process we have described. B’ezrat Hashem, may we merit to move forward through these days of counting, in particular, and during the course of the year, in general – stage after stage. May we merit to build our spiritual world, our world of positive "midot" (traits), and the world of Torah and Halacha.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
