YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Tu Bishvat
- Family and Society
- The Land of Israel
- The Torah Perspective
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham ben-tziyon ben shabtai
Eretz Yisrael has forever been at the center of conflict; and the struggle for possession of the Land has always been an ideological one, for he who maintains possession of the Land is seen as the authentic follower of the true path, the heir and inheritor of the Divine quality. The Sages teach that the dispute between Cain and Abel was over Eretz Yisrael , for they wished to establish once and for all which of them was the true successor of Adam. They wished to determine which of them represented the essence, like a kernel, and was therefore inheritor of the Land, and which, in turn, was to be considered like mere husk. The outcome was that Abel was murdered, and the kingdom left without a successor, as it says, "And Cain went out from before God" (Genesis 4:16). That is, he left the Land of Israel, as he himself indicates: "Behold, you have banished me today from the face of the Land, and I am to be hidden from Your face." Cain did not inherit the Divine quality and did not merit possessing the Land, but was banished from it. Not until the arrival of Seth was anybody fit to carry on the unique Divine quality of Adam; Seth, then, was the first to inherit the Land. Later, conflict arose between Isaac and Ishmael over possession of this land, and, in the end, it was Ishmael who was rejected, Isaac inheriting Eretz Yisrael . Following this, jealousy arose between Jacob and Esau over the Land, and, in the end, Esau was rejected, despite his might and Jacob's weakness.
And so it has always been, all of the wars over Eretz Yisrael have been for the same essential reason: the battle to receive by inheritance the Divine blessing, the struggle to determine who is the true heir of the Divine quality. This was what brought about the crusades, and this is what drove the Muslims to conquer Eretz Yisrael .
Yet, as the Sages teach, "That which befell the fathers is an indication of what will befall the children." Isaac took possession and Ishmael was rejected. Jacob possessed the Land and Esau was cast out. And here, in our time, the Land has returned to its real owners - Am Yisrael . All of the attempts of the children of Ishmael and Esau to prevent the redemption of Am Yisrael are bound to result in failure. Even the inner weaknesses of the people of Israel - lack of spirit, weariness, exhaustion due to the long and difficult exile - will not prevent the redemption of Israel, for the time of the redemption has arrived. There is no clearer sign of the redemption than the Land giving its fruit abundantly, plentifully, and happily to Am Yisrael as they return to her from the Diaspora. The abundance of fruit in Israel today is such that there is even fruit left over. The Land has prepared enough fruit for even more Jews. She is waiting for all of her children and gives fruit plentifully. The plenty is not simply "extra fruit," rather there is a lack of Jews in Israel today, but they will come and they are coming all the time. All of this talk of withdrawal and the relinquishing of land are in vain. This land has always belonged to Am Yisrael , and always will, as God said, "To your seed have I given this land" (Genesis 15:18) - and the word of God is eternally binding.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
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.
