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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- The Seder Night
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
In other words, the story of our Exodus from Egypt is not a mere recounting of an event that happened to our forefathers once upon a time. Rather, it is an event the impact of which continues to be felt by every Jew in every generation throughout history.
When one sits down on Seder Night and tells the story of the Exodus to his children, he must feel as if he is recounting an event that happened to he himself. The reason for this is that the Exodus from Egypt did not merely free us from physical bondage - it freed us eternally ("Cherut Olam"). The Exodus from Egypt served to infuse us with a new, free soul, deeply affect by the Divine nature. All of the souls of Israel for all generations left Egypt for eternal freedom. This concept is reminiscent of the idea that, according to our sages, all of the Jewish souls of all the generations were present at Mount Sinai for the giving of the Torah.
What’s more, every single year, on the holy night of Passover, Seder Night, the Divine illumination which was present during the original Exodus from Egypt is renewed. This illumination, though, is very inward, and very deep, and unfelt by the senses. The mind cannot identify this inner manifestation; emotion cannot sense, concretely, the greatness of that which is being revealed. Only special people with deep spiritual capacities truly understand and experience for themselves the same kind of rejuvenation which took place then with the Exodus from Egypt.
The sages therefore teach, "In every generation, a Jew is obligated to regard himself as if he personally had gone out of Egypt." Indeed, deep inside, in the depths of the Jewish soul, a lofty illumination emanates forth in such a way that it acts upon him and elevates him.
According to some authorities, this is the reason that we do not recite a blessing before reading the Haggadah. Just as there is a blessing before every commandment, so too there really ought to be a blessing like, "Blessed are You Who has commanded us to tell the story of the Exodus" over the recital of the Haggadah. It is explained that, in essence, the commandment is fulfilled by identifying, feeling, having an inner experience. In other words, the most important thing is what transpires in one’s heart, and when it comes to things that take place in the heart there is no need to pronounce a blessing.
The commandment to recall the Exodus from Egypt is unlike other commandment. It is not like the precept of Torah study which one fulfills even if he does not understand what he is reading. The same goes for the commandment of hearing the reading the Scroll of Ester or reciting the Hallel prayer of thanks - one need not understand what is written therein.
When it comes to the Passover Haggadah, the true point of the commandment is to understand, to know, and to make an effort to feel as if one had himself exited Egypt. This is the opinion of Rabbi Yehudah Liva, the Maharal of Prague. The story of the Haggadah must be told in a spontaneous manner, bursting out of the depths of the heart. One should not restrict himself to the formal confines of the Haggadah but should attain a renewed sense of the same feeling experienced by the Children of Israel, as if it was happening here and now. This is the essential goal of Seder Night.
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
