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Beit Midrash
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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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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.
