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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yossef ben Simcha
The gemara (Menachot 109b) quotes Rabbi Yehoshua ben Perachya, who was a nasi (head of the Jewish community of Israel): "At first, whoever would tell me to ascend to the nesiut, I would have tied him up and placed him before a lion. Now, if someone would tell me to stop being nasi, I would throw a container of boiling water on him. This is what we see in Shaul’s life, as he originally ran away from leadership, and when he became king, he wanted to kill David [for threatening his dynasty]." While Rav Yehoshua ben Perachya felt the difficulty of giving up power and Shaul failed in this regard, Yonatan was able to actually save and help his rival ascend to the throne.
The deep friendship between David and Yonatan began after David’s defeat of Goliat. The navi relates that they made a pact and that Yonatan took off his cloak and gave it to David along with his battle equipment (Shmuel I, 18:3-4). We see in other episodes having to do with Shaul that the cloak is the symbol of the right to kingdom. When Shmuel informed Shaul that he had lost the kingdom and Shaul (accidentally) ripped Shmuel’s garment, Shmuel responded that this was a sign that Hashem had ripped the kingdom away from him (ibid. 15: 26-28). Giving over the military equipment was also a sign of giving over responsibility for the army, which is also a responsibility of the king. Later on, Yonatan said explicitly: "You will rule over Israel, and I will be for you a second in command" (ibid. 23:27).
Based on an explanation I heard from my teacher, Rav Yehoshua Bachrach, we can explain the opening to our haftara along the same lines. "Tomorrow is the new month" is a reference to the fact that in the near future, there will be a new moon, with the significance being that the Davidic dynasty is compared to the moon (see Rashi, Rosh Hashana 25b). The words "v’nifkadta ki yipaked moshavecha" have a double meaning as well, as not only does it mean that you will be missed because your place will be empty but also that you will be appointed to an important position. Rashi explains the beginning of the next pasuk, "v’shilashta teireid m’od," as: on the third day you will go deep into hiding. However, shalish can also refer to a military leader (see Shemot 14:7). The root reid also can refer to dominion, as is found in Bereishit 1:28 regarding man’s dominion over the animal kingdom. Finally "you will come to the place" can be hinting to the fact that David will be the one to find "the place that Hashem will choose" (Devarim 12:5) and build the Beit Hamikdash there.
Hopefully we will soon have leaders who will see the potential in others to succeed in leadership and promote that which is in the best interests of the nation, not the interests of themselves and their families.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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