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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
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Human beings were placed on our earth according to the Torah "to work and exploit its riches and yet to guard and protect that world." That is the clear instruction given by the Almighty to Adam in the Garden of Eden. If humans are able to harmoniously blend the two - the work and the guarding - then this planet is and will remain a veritable paradise. However if humans lose their sense of proportion and balance regarding these two goals and veer towards working and exploiting too much or towards an overzealous guarding of it then neither of these goals can be achieved for they depend upon a harmonious and balanced relationship one to the other. Human society seems to veer from plundering its habitat to overprotecting it at tremendous cost to human comfort and society’s economic wherewithal. The watchword of our day is "green" - green energy, green housing, a green economy. This is a worthwhile goal but it cannot be the only worthwhile goal on the human agenda. After the rapacious treatment of the earth’s resources over the past centuries, the reaction of "green" has set in with a vengeance. Eventually we humans will have to find the balance between working and guarding that the Lord bade us to do so at the beginning of the story of humankind. Common sense, political wisdom and a balanced view of life and its problems can all help fulfill God’s blessings to Adam and Chava and their descendants to truly inherit this earth and live in harmony with it.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.