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While accepting fully the Divine Providence involved in Yaakov’s decision, perhaps we could find at least a hava amina - some answer to the question: what was he thinking?! As modern yet traditional students of Tanach like to do, let us look for a word or root that repeats itself in our story and identify a recurring theme that teaches us about the episode. The word that sticks out is davar, which usually means "a thing" or "matter" but also means "the thing he said." The brothers hated Yosef "for his dreams and (devarav) his sayings" (ibid.:8), in other words, the content of the dreams and the way he related the dreams to them. After involving his father in the telling of his offensive dreams, we are told that Yaakov scolded him and characterized the dreams, including the allusion to Yosef’s father and mother bowing down to him, as bizarre. Then it says that "Yosef’s brothers were jealous of him, and his father watched over the matter (davar)" (ibid.:11). Finally, Yaakov asks Yosef to return a report (davar) (ibid.:14). The different uses of the word must be more than a coincidence.
Let us suggest the following. The brothers blamed Yosef for the dreams themselves, which they attributed to Yosef’s aspirations, not a Divine revelation. That’s why they call him the "ba’al hachalomot" (lit., owner of the dreams), not their recipient (ibid. 19). On the other hand, Yaakov was upset with Yosef for sharing them as he had (davar), which was insensitive to his brothers. Yaakov wanted Yosef to act in a caring manner toward his brothers, to change the way each side looked at the other. Let him see their welfare (sh’lom, which can also mean, peace). He was willing for Yosef to do something somewhat dangerous to show them that he cared and was willing to do his part for the family. In this way, he would "return" the davar that had gone wrong. This was a risky but an understandable plan. He was unaware that, due to the intervention of the G-d of Avraham, the brothers were headed toward escalated conflict, while the outcome of unity would arrive 22 years and "two parshiyot" later.
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.