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How did Am Yisrael view their existence at that point? Did they see their time as spiritual and supernatural or were they simply slogging though the mundane, pragmatic reality of the desert on their way home?
From the last five pesukim in Sefer Shemot it appears that both attitudes can be seen in the place of the anan (cloud) over the mishkan. We first find the appearance of the anan in the mishkan as a statement of HaShem's presence there, yet the Torah continues and describes the anan as being the beacon that simply announced whether it was time to move or remain in place.
This dichotomy between the holy and the profane would stay with Am Yisrael throughout their travels - in fact, it foreshadows the division of the desert story between Sefer Vayikra, whose focus is on the spiritual and Sefer Bamidbar which describes the mundane - even as they lived a miraculous existence for 40 years in the desert. Only upon entering the Land of Israel will the emphasis switch to living "normal" lives when they begin to eat the produce of the land with a cessation of manna (see Yehoshua 5:11-12).
Is life in Israel today unique and spiritual or is it ordinary and mundane?
It all depends on how you look at it...
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
