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The Wise Rabbi explains this by way of analogy, saying, "Let us say that you were told that the King of India is a man of great kindness and that you ought to respect him, glorify him and relate his acts of generosity. The proof of this is in the fact that the subjects of his kingdom are righteous, kind, and honest. Would the fact that the people of India are good people obligate you to praise the King of India? Would you feel a necessity to do this?"
The King answered saying, "Why should I feel this way? To begin with, how can I be sure that the King of India is righteous? Perhaps the people of India alone are righteous. Perhaps there is no King of India at all. And even if there were a king, and a righteous one at that, why should this fact obligate me to tell about him? What good does it do me?"
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
5 - 5. Historical Proof
6 - 6. Gifts From the King of India
7 - 7. The Reliability of Tradition
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The Khazar king responded, "Certainly, for by virtue of all of this it would have become absolutely clear to me that there is a King of India - a great and virtuous king, who has done such good for me. In light of all of this, his rule and his direction would certainly be to my benefit."
"And," continued the Rabbi, "were someone to inquire, how would you describe the King of India?" The Khazar king responded, "I would describe him according to my familiarity with him, according to those items that he had sent me, and all which he had done for me. Next, I would bring as additional support the fact that the people of India are a kind people. This demonstrates that the King of India is a man of kindness and deserving of honor and respect."
"This, then," said the Wise Rabbi to the Khazar king, "is exactly what I answered you when you asked me concerning my faith. Moses acted similarly when he came to speak before Pharaoh. He did not say to him, 'The God of the heavens and the earth sent me,' and he did not say, 'My and your Creator sent me.' Rather, Moses said to Pharaoh, 'The God of the Jews has sent me to you.' That is, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for the Forefathers were well known among the nations, and it was well known that God had spoken to them and provided for them, and performed wonders for them. For this reason, then, Moses did not say to Pharaoh, 'The God of the heavens and the earth has sent me to you,' and not, 'My and your Creator has sent me to you.' He did not say something that could not be proven. Rather, he said things which were indisputable and known to all."
"I responded in a similar manner when you asked me concerning my faith. I told you of that which has become clear to us Jews beyond all doubt. I told you concerning the things that we saw with our own eyes - that is, that which our ancestors saw - for this is what obligates us right up until today. These things have been handed down to us via firm and unshakable tradition. Such tradition is just like eyewitness account - as if we ourselves had seen with our own eyes God's revelation to our ancestors. Therefore, I said to you that we believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who took us out of Egypt, etc."
Regarding the reliability of tradition, we shall speak in our next discussion.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
