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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Kdoshim
This week’s parsha contains many varied and different mitzvoth which deal with all areas of human life and experience. In fact, the parsha contains the greatest number of mitzvoth in the Torah. It is not coincidental that this plethora of mitzvoth occurs in the parsha of kdoshim.
The Torah intends to point out to us that mitzvoth are the building blocks - the stepping stones to achieving the goal of kdoshim. However, the mitzvoth therefore are not to be seen as being an end in themselves.
The true and intended end and goal is kdoshim. The mitzvoth are the Torah’s description of the means available to achieve that end goal. We pay great attention to the mitzvoth, their halacha and minutiae, and correctly and necessarily so.
But many times people become bogged down in the mitzvoth without realizing the goal of kdoshim that lies at the heart and purpose of mitzvoth. The Talmud compares mitzvoth to silver, money, wealth. Just as wealth is only a means to do good and achieve a better life and should never be viewed as the end and final goal itself, so too the mitzvoth are the beginning of the process of human elevation and not the end goal all in itself.
Judaism emphasizes the means and not just the goal. Both the means and goal are prescribed to us by heavenly fiat. For Jews, attainment of kdoshim is an elusive target.
All of Jewish history has shown that those who attempted to achieve kdoshim without the means of mitzvoth, in the main have failed. But even punctilious observance of mitzvoth does not always guarantee kdoshim.
Ramban in his famous comment states that one can be a ‘naval’ - an objectionable, obnoxious, even obscene person - within the parameters of seeming Torah observance.
The entire thrust of the famed Mussar movement in nineteenth century Lithuania and of the Chasidic revolution was to rectify this matter. God wants not only our mechanical observance of mitzvoth, as important as that is, but also our heartfelt commitment to be a morally better person.
Thus the Torah’s demand is not an unreasonable one for it describes the only way to achieve true humanity and immortality. By using the mitzvoth as our guide in life’s behavior and by remembering that behind the mitzvoth, so to speak, stands God to Whom we are eventually responsible for our actions, thoughts and deeds, we have an opportunity to reach that sublime goal of being kdoshim.
The discipline of mitzvoth creates an opportunity for spiritual growth and greatness. But it is up to us to truly exploit that opportunity to its fullest.
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