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Beit Midrash
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- Parashat Hashavua
When Hashem contemplated destroying Am Yisrael, Moshe rose to the occasion, willing to sacrifice his interests to save them. The pasuk says: "If You will bear their sin; and if not, erase me from the book that You wrote" (ibid. 32:32). Our parasha also relates that when Moshe came down from the mountain, his face glowed (ibid. 34: 29, 35). Let us now summarize the historical progression of the time. Moshe began his leadership of Bnei Yisrael in Egypt while they were still slaves. The first step in their liberation was to convince Paroh to give them a weekly day of rest - on Shabbat. This was not merely a respite from work but a break from physicality, enabling them to concentrate on spirituality. Upon becoming leader, Moshe actually became "a slave to the holy nation." He thereby taught the nation the notion that pushing off personal needs for the needs of the collective is uplifting. The height of Moshe’s servitude to the nation is what we mentioned, that he was willing to be wiped out of Hashem’s book on the people’s behalf.
The first commandment about Shabbat came after the Torah was given at Sinai, and it gave a spiritual significance to the exodus. However, the sin of the Golden Calf, which was the wrong type of servitude, put into question the centrality of spirituality in the nation’s life. Moshe’s willingness to sacrifice ensured Hashem’s forgiveness. First, his shining countenance was a sign to all that he was a trustworthy servant. Also, Bnei Yisrael received again the gift of Shabbat, which was accompanied in the second tablets with the command of shamor (guard).
We now return to the Shabbat tefilla. "Moshe will rejoice with the giving of his portion (the gift of the original Shabbat in Egypt and his acceptance of his mission), for a trustworthy servant (of the nation) You called him; a crown of grandeur You gave to him (the shining face), when he stood before You at Mount Sinai (begging for the nation’s survival); two tablets of stone he brought down in his hand (the second tablets), and it was written in them the guarding of Shabbat ("guard the day of Shabbat")."
May we merit again leaders who resemble the trustworthy servant, Moshe. Let us also remember that Shabbat is our liberation from the enslavement to a variety of Golden Calves.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
