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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Avram is Avraham. In the beginning, he became the father of Aram, and at the end, of the whole world. Saray is Sarah. In the beginning, she became the noblewoman of her nation, and at the end, of the whole world.
Ein Ayah: The feeling of nationalism is a straight and natural emotion. It is close to the level of the love of the family and exceeds it in its morality. Therefore, Avraham and Sarah, as people who were straight from their very essence, were concerned with the survival and success of their nation. We have found the same thing regarding other wise people with good personal attributes from all of the nations. However, Avraham and Sarah were elevated by the spirit of prophecy that told them that this is not the final desired result. Rather, the complete person does not suffice with the happiness of his nation alone but will try to bring general salvation to every person on the face of the earth. Therefore, Avraham became the father of many nations, and Sarah became a noblewoman of the whole world, which is a more exalted matter than to limit oneself to the national agenda.
Avraham and Sarah
(based on Berachot 1:176)
Gemara:
[I would think that just as it is forbidden to call Avraham by the name Avram,] it should be forbidden to call Sarah by the name Saray. Yet, when switching the names, Hashem said "Saray, your wife, you shall not call her Saray, but Sarah is her name" (Beresihit 17:15).
Ein Ayah: The pasuk says: "Listen, my son, to the rebuke of your father and do not abandon the Torah of your mother" (Mishlei 1:8). The true beliefs are called the rebuke of the father; the good actions and pleasant customs are called the Torah of the mother.
Nationalism is very necessary for Israel, and its essence is included in the actions of the various mitzvot, which increase and strengthen the powers of nationalism in Israel. However, the ultimate purpose is for the universal needs. That is why the beliefs are global in nature and the actions are specific and nationally based.
Avraham is the root of beliefs in Israel, as he shone the light from the east (see Yeshaya 41:2 and Bava Batra 15a). Therefore, we are absolutely obligated to call him based on the concept of his being the father of many nations, so that the truth, which could be lost due to our national isolationism, not be forgotten. On the other hand, we inherited from Sarah the holiness of the actions along the lines of the Torah of the mother. It is true that at the time of the patriarchs it was not yet possible to start on the building of national structures and the foundation of the actions also had to be for the purpose of global improvement, which is also their ultimate goal. However, for the generations of our nation, the intention of the actions is to beautify Israel’s special national sanctity in a manner that in the future will be helpful for the universal improvements.
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.
