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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
On the other hand, we see that the Land’s lot is tied up with our welfare as well. Rashi (ibid.:32) explains the pasuk "I shall make the Land desolate" as a favor for Bnei Yisrael, that other nations would not have success with the Land in our absence, apparently in order to make our return easier. The Land, which was commanded at creation to give fruit, remains a wasteland, in deference to a nation that does not even merit staying in the Land. So what does the Land want, and what are its rights?
Perhaps the key to this issue is found in Midrash Rabba (Vayikra 36:5) on the pasuk of remembering the patriarchs and the Land. The midrash compares the situation to that of a king who has three sons who are raised by one of his maids. When the king inquires as to the welfare of the children, he inquires about the maid’s welfare as well. In other words, the Land is the nation’s responsible caregiver, but it does not have special, individual rights. Its prominence comes from its ability to "raise" the nation.
Yet the midrash refers to the maid as "one of his maids." In other words, she was not there for the children to stomp all over. Rather, she represented the king and the extent to which they respected her authority was indicative of the respect the children showed their father, the king. Such is the relationship between Bnei Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. It is to raise us and we are to respect the boundaries Hashem put on our use of it. If we abuse it or abuse His authority in other ways, the Land will spit us out (see Vayikra 18:25). Yet, Eretz Yisrael will not flourish when the evil children are sent away. Rather, it is set aside for the time that it will be able to raise Bnei Yisrael once again. Any other use of it would be a demotion from its past and future high station.
Let us pray that the reunion between the nation and the Land continue in full force and strengthen, as we use it to better serve our and its Maker.
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