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This week in the modern State of Israel, the Pope of Rome is coming to visit. All visits of popes to Israel - I believe that Benedict is the fourth prelate to do so - arouse great interest and an undercurrent of controversy. The Vatican has not been a traditional friend of the Jewish people over its long history - to put the case in its mildest form possible. Nevertheless it is an occasion of note to realize that the Vatican actually recognizes the State of Israel as a legitimate nation - something which most of the Moslem world has yet to do - and has gone to some lengths to attempt to rectify its teachings, liturgy and theology regarding the Jews. The revelations after the Holocaust, the apparent silent complicity of the Vatican and its then pope Pius XII, and the emergence of a more liberal strain within Catholicism on many issues have all contributed to a new interaction between Jews and the Vatican. The Church elevated us to the status of "elder brother," officially stopped specific missionary activities against Jews, and has attempted what in its eyes is an even handed policy towards the State of Israel. The Church certainly has a long way to go to make proper amends for its brutal behavior towards Jews over the centuries but it is clear to any unbiased observer that the attitude of the Church towards Jews today is the most benign that it has ever been in its long history. The mere presence of the Pope in Israel this week is an event that should be appreciated for its historical significance.
The Pope will undoubtedly notice the smoky haze over Jerusalem on Lag B’omer. His retinue of advisers and experts may have already explained to him why this peculiar event of bonfires is occurring. But to me there is a symbolism in the confluence of the Pope’s visit and Lag B’omer. The Church absorbed the Roman Empire within its culture, ritual and society. The Jews continued to battle against Roman culture, practices and ways long after they were seemingly defeated by Hadrian and his legions. There are no pilgrimages to the grave of Hadrian. What is truly vital and long lasting within Church doctrine is what is borrowed and adapted from Judaism. The Pope’s visit here in Israel this week vindicates this truth. Our ancestors who lived in the dark exile of millennia under Church domination would be amazed and wondrous that the Pope of Rome is making an official visit to Jewish Jerusalem and Israel. As we do with all of the wondrous historical events that surround the return of the Jewish people to their rightful homeland we take the Pope’s visit in stride as being somehow at worst a nuisance - the traffic in Jerusalem will be unbearable during his visit - and at best a gesture of true historic good will and reconciliation. The words of the prophets of Israel that many nations will come to Jerusalem to seek God and His spiritual sustenance continue to resonate in our world in spite of all of the dangers and problems that surround us.
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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.
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.
