YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
During Yom Kippur, we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to receive atonement for many sins, which certainly is a happier prospect than receiving the full punishment we deserve. However, the service is still one with the "gun against the temple." On Sukkot, we should have the feeling that we have, for the most part, made it through that stage and celebrate as those who can concentrate on the positive elements of our relationship with Hashem.
The Ramban (Shemot 20:7) famously makes the distinction between positive and negative commandments, saying that the latter is based on yirah of Hashem, while the former is based on ahava. Indeed, someone who fears tries to stay away from mistakes, whereas one who loves looks for opportunities to display the love, with less fear of what might go wrong. Yom Kippur is a day when we demonstrate the element of fear to an extreme. Not only do we refrain from problematic things, but we even refrain from such basic bodily needs as eating. We do not trust our connection with the natural physical world, and try to approach Hashem in a manner that is divorced from the physical world as much as possible. In contrast, on Sukkot, we fulfill two active mitzvot (sukka and the four minim). We take representatives of different things from nature into our hands, and we envelope ourselves in the "leftover of the winepress and the silo."
Our interest to engage the broader world also expands on Sukkot. We would sacrifice 70 bulls in the Beit Hamikdash, corresponding to the 70 nations, for whose ultimate success we pray. This is also related to our focus on Sukkot on the coming of Mashiach (the haftarot, the references to the hide of the Leviatan, etc.). Rav Kook writes in several places (including the first piece of Ein Ayah) that during the time of exile, when the Jewish people are physically and spiritually vulnerable, we are to be inwardly focused to ensure our survival. Only when we return to our Land and the Days of Mashiach begin can we reach our full potential as a nation of priests and lead the world toward universal service of Hashem. The other nations will lose their prominence as leaders and, like the decreasing number of bulls offered as Sukkot progresses, they will be happy to follow our lead as they come to see the "G-d of the house of Jacob" in Yerushalayim (Yeshaya 2:3).
May we merit seeing the increasing confidence to show our love of Hashem on the world stage as we continue to move toward the days of full liberation.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.