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Beit Midrash
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The second stage of redemption in Egypt lay in the realization amongst the Egyptians themselves that they would have no choice but to free the Jews from slavery. They said to Pharaoh: "Do you not realize that Egypt is lost? Send these people out already!" The time of Rivka was one of recognition by the world of the message of Yitzchak and Rivka. Abimelech journeys to make treaties with Yitzchak and begrudgingly accepts the fact that he and his family are beneficial to the Philistine country. However Rivka also is abducted into his palace where she also is miraculously saved from the king. Just as Pharaoh will not give in to the advice of his courtiers and free Israel from bondage so too Abimelech in spite of his peaceful protestations is not yet willing for Yitzchak and Rivka to live in peace and security in his country. Abimelech is not yet prepared to let go though overtly he does not pursue any hostile actions any longer against Yitzchak and Rivka. Pharaoh also is not yet prepared to let go though logic certainly dictates otherwise. He has not yet given up on the idea of slavery for the Jews in Egypt.
The third stage of redemption in Egypt was when the Jews were freed from any labor by the Egyptians. They were not free to leave the country but they no longer had any taskmasters over them. Leah represents this tension of being somewhat in limbo. The mother of six tribes of Israel, especially that of the priestly tribe and the royal house of Israel, she nevertheless is not considered the favorite wife though in death she alone will be joined to Yaakov in the Cave of Machpela. She is and she isn’t quite the heroine of the story, the mainstay of the house, the matriarch supreme. The final piece, the fourth stage of the redemption is finally the exodus from the country of Egypt itself. It is the self-confidence of being able to be free and feel free after so many centuries of exile and bondage. There is heartbreak involved nevertheless since not all of the Jews will leave Egypt and a substantial number of them will have died there. Rachel is the symbol of leaving exile, of escaping from Lavan and Eisav, of giving birth to Yosef who will save his family from death in the great famine and rise to great heights as the viceroy of Egypt, and the matriarch who stands guard on the road as her children Israel depart for exile and who welcomes them back home upon their eventual return. The four matriarchs predict the four stages of redemption of their descendants. We who are privileged to live in Israel have felt mother Rachel’s welcome first hand. May we also merit the final stage of our redemption as well.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.