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Beit Midrash
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In the midst of discussing the completion of the building (Melachim I, 6), the navi paused to encourage Shlomo: "This house that you are building - if you follow in My statutes, My laws you will do, and My commandments you will observe to follow them, I will uphold for you that which I said to your father, David. I will dwell in the midst of Israel, and I will not leave My nation, Israel" (ibid.: 12-13). The pasuk then repeats similar language about the completion of the construction, indicating that the previous p’sukim were inserted to break up the description. The perek ends by saying that the whole job took seven years.
Perek 9 refers to the time that Shlomo completed the building of the Beit Hamikdash and other projects related to his kingdom and again relates Hashem’s exhortation to him. Here, though, along with the positive reinforcement, there is also a stern warning: "If you will turn away, you and your children, from before Me and will not follow My statues... I shall cut off Israel from the face of the Land that I gave to them and the house that I consecrated for My name I shall send from before Me and Israel will be as a parable and a conversation piece to all the nations" (ibid. 9: 6-7). The section is completed with the dating - that it was twenty years that Shlomo had built the house of Hashem and the house of the king.
Apparently the Beit Hamikdash complex was built in two stages. The main part where the service was done was completed in seven years. However, afterward there were additions that included the encompassing region which was the heart of the city, which now served as both the religious and the monarchal center of the nation.
According to a prominent opinion in Chazal, Shlomo’s kingdom itself was broken into two periods. According to Rabbi Yudan (see Kohelet Rabba 1), Shlomo actually ceased to be king for a period in the midst of his reign, after a failure. It is likely that the construction also ceased at that time and when he returned, Hashem warned him that his behavior would have to regain its level if he and his descendants wanted to avoid punishment. Since Shlomo did not remain as faithful as required, Achiya Hashiloni prophesied that much of his kingdom had been decreed to be torn away from his family.
Even Shlomo, who was called "Hashem’s beloved," lost favor and had his rule interrupted and limited. No one has an assurance that whatever leadership he has will last if his behavior does not warrant it.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
