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Let us take another look at Hashem’s varied and various messengers to implement His decrees. Last week, we spoke about dever, usually translated as pestilence. Rabbi Professor Avraham Steinberg says that dever, as found in Tanach and rabbinic literature, refers to an infectious disease caused by a microorganism, which was identified in 1894 by Dr. Alexander Yersin of the Pasteur Institute. Many connect it to the Bubonic Plague or the Black Death that ravaged Europe in the Middle Ages. The disease includes inflammation and high fever and is transferred with the help of rats.
In Melachim (II, 19:35-36) we learn of the angel who killed 185,000 soldiers of the Assyrian army and saved the besieged city of Jerusalem. Chazal tell us that this miracle happened on the night of Pesach. Who was this angel? Ibn Ezra’s approach is that whenever an angel is described as operating on earth, it is actually referring to a "natural" force that Hashem used to carry out His desire. The prophet, Yeshaya, in prophesying about this plague, spoke of a burning (see Yeshaya 10: 16-18). Chazal (Shemot Rabba 18:5) describe a burning of the inside of their body while their clothes remained intact outside, a description that has similarities to the disease we have referred to.
Of note is the Egyptian tradition, cited by Horoditus (II, 141) and Yosef ben Matityahu (Kadmoniyot X, 17-22), that the plague that killed the Assyrians was brought on by field rats. Combining all the indications, it is possible that both the pestilence in Egypt and the plague of the Assyrians were caused by rats that Hashem sent to afflict the Israelites’ enemies at the time and place that He prescribed. Not only were animals involved, directly, in the plagues of frogs and wild beasts of the Egyptians, but the rats could have been involved, somewhat less directly, in another plague. This fact could also add insight into the name of a prophetess who operated 100 years after the fall of the Assyrian army, Chulda (whose name means, rat).
Let us pray that we will continue to see miracles that Hashem brings for our benefit, which will be very welcome even if Hashem will send them within the framework of natural events.
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
