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Revital Bat Lea
In the end, Yosef reached great prominence and success. He ruled over Egypt and made his brothers capitulate to his every demand, as his dreams began being fulfilled. The key to his success, as the King of Egypt said about him, was: "There is none as wise and clever as you." Yet, before his death, Yaakov gave the future kingdom of Bnei Yisrael to Yehuda’s descendants (Bereishit 49:10). Yosef and his descendants did not lose all, as they retained a special status in Yaakov’s blessings.
History shows that there can be very fruitful cooperation between the two leading tribes of the nation, Yehuda, the son of Leah, and Yosef, the son of Rachel. When the townspeople of Beit Lechem, of the Tribe of Yehuda, blessed Ruth and her husband, Boaz, they said that she should be like Rachel and Leah, giving precedence to the "rival" matriarch. Yet, when Yehuda’s success reaches its peak, under the rule of Shlomo Hamelech, it was Yeravam, the leader of the Tribe of Ephrayim, Yosef’s son, who eclipsed his dynasty.
Who was to blame for the fallout? Chazal blame Yeravam, who was offered to stroll with Hashem and David Hamelech in Gan Eden but rejected the offer because David would be leading. On the other hand, simple reading of the p’sukim puts the blame on Shlomo, whose sins caused him to lose control of much of the nation. It was Hashem who hand-picked Yeravam and informed him that he would rise to the throne of the Ten Tribes. The following explanation can reconcile the difficulty.
Upon ascending to his father’s throne, Shlomo made the correct request of Hashem. While giving him more than he ever asked for, Hashem declared: "There will be no one more wise and clever than you, neither before you nor after you" (Melachim I, 3:12). Shlomo may have taken this language, reminiscent of Paroh’s declaration about Yosef, as a sign that the Eternal King had overruled Paroh’s empowerment of Yosef. From now on, only Shlomo and his family would possess a ruler’s wisdom. He might have also interpreted his father’s death wish for Shimi Ben Geira, called "first of the house of Yosef," as the end of the cooperation between these tribes.
A joining of forces of Yehuda and Yosef will apparently have to await the prophecy of Yechezkel, who took a staff representing Yehuda and one representing Yosef and held them together (37:15-16). May it happen soon!
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