YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Lech Lecha
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The Maharal (Netzach Yisrael 11) gives the following answer. Avraham was not chosen as an individual just as some sort of reward for what he did. Rather Hashem chose the nation which would descend from Avraham as His nation. Granted, this is in no small part to the credit of Avraham, and we are to this day dependent on the merit of the patriarchs' and matriarchs' good deeds. However, the Torah's silence on Avraham's pre-choice accomplishments is to stress the fact that this was not the main reason for his selection.
The Kuzari (95) discusses the preoccupation with the lineage from Adam to Avraham, through the tzaddikim Noach and Shem. Avraham, he posits, had the correct pedigree to succeed in his spiritual task. The link on the chain directly before Avraham was his father, Terach. Most of what we know about him is from Chazal, who present him as an idol worshipper who apparently partially improved his spiritual performance. Avraham was willing to have his holy son marry only a member of his father's house, even if her nuclear family consisted of idol worshippers. Apparently, Terach had elements of greatness in him or at least pass through him, although they did not find full expression until Avraham.
Going back to the Torah, we see that Avraham's great sojourn to the Land of Cana'an was started by Terach (Bereishit 11:31), who is described as taking Avraham and others with him. Terach was unable to complete the mission, but he blazed the trail, to a certain degree, of his illustrious son. Perhaps part of the reason that Avraham was chosen is that he was able to connect to his father and take the kernel of greatness within his father and perfect it.
Our generation has seen many ba'alei teshuva who rejected the secular lifestyles of their parents and returned to their roots. However, as descendants of Avraham, it is likely in many cases that they did not start from scratch, but tapped into the positive of their direct mothers and fathers as well as their forefathers. They have been able to actualize spiritual journeys that their parents began, and finish them in the Holy Land, whether literally or figuratively.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
