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Beit Midrash
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These nine [berachot of the Amida] of Rosh Hashana correspond to what? Rabbi Yitzchak from Kartignin said: They correspond to the nine references to Hashem that Chana said in her prayers, as it was said: It was on Rosh Hashana that Sarah, Rachel, and Chana were remembered [with the children they prayed for].
Ein Ayah: On Rosh Hashana, all the world’s inhabitants pass before Hashem like b’nei maron, which [according to one explanation in Rosh Hashana 18a] means like a flock of sheep. This illustrates the matter of Divine Providence on an individual basis, which exists beyond the Divine Providence that relates to a species or is general Providence.
The number ten represents an entire group as a whole, as this is the lowest number that is considered a community. Therefore, the most appropriate number to represent one relating to individuals in a group as individuals is nine.
This idea applies to Chana, who requested from Hashem to fulfill her personal desire in a manner that was above the way of nature. She was not fit to give birth and requested that Hashem provide a miracle to help her as an individual, which is very much along the lines of individualistic Divine Providence. That is the reason that she mentioned Hashem’s names nine times in her prayers to show the great extent of individual Divine Providence that Hashem employs.
On Rosh Hashana, we must particularly concentrate on picturing in our mind’s eye the matter of Divine Providence for the individual. This can help us improve our individual actions and increase our evoking of mercy, each one according to his own needs. This is the way to build the success of the collective, which requires the success of its constituent parts. For this reason, the prayers of Rosh Hashana were built upon the number nine.
The Needs of the Individual and of the Collective
(based on Berachot 2:43)
Gemara:
Master of the universe, it is clear and known to you that we desire to do Your desire, but who stands in the way? The yeast in the dough and the subjugation of the kingdoms. May it be Your will to subdue them from before us and after us, and we shall return to the laws of Your desire with a full heart.
Ein Ayah: A person should deal with his shleimut (completeness) in regard both to his personal matters and the shleimut of the collective by joining together with K’lal Yisrael in a manner that will bring spiritual and physical benefit to the nation by his actions. The main causes of lacking in an individual’s actions are a bad nature and its faults, which are referred to as the yeast in the dough. Regarding communal needs, which are in a low point without the strengthening of Hashem’s Torah and all good goals and attributes, it is the subjugation of the kingdoms. In all matters, we can look forward (the main part) or backward (the minor part). Really, a person is complete only when he is attached to the collective. Therefore, the front part is the communal, and the back is the individual. We ask that we should not be held back in either realm.
The matter of returning to the laws of Your desires refers to the laws of the Torah. The laws complete a person in a true way; some of them are designed to complete the collective. Therefore, only when one is prepared to improve himself, others, and the collective can he do the laws that Hashem desires with a full heart, for then he will feel the internal pleasantness of the holy Torah and mitzvot. Then Hashem’s pleasantness will be upon him to set the path of his actions.
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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.