YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Miketz
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Paroh thus explains his rationale to his people: "Shall we find like this, a man within whom is the spirit of G-d?" (Bereishit 41:38). Where does Paroh see this is spirit of G-d? Does it just mean that he once succeeded in telling the future? Firstly, we find Yosef invoking Hashem’s Name in his exploits. While this is the third time during Yosef’s stay in Egypt this is recorded, this is the most inclusive evoking of His Name. Yosef tells Potiphar’s wife of his elevated status and says that if he sins, he will be sinning to Hashem (ibid. 39:9). Regarding the dreams of the butler and the baker, he says: "For meanings of dreams are Hashem’s" but then says, "Tell me now," giving himself a little power over the matter (ibid. 40:8). This time, Yosef says: "It does not have to do with me. Hashem will answer for Paroh’s welfare" (ibid. 41:16).
However, we can advance the understanding that the spirit of Hashem within him is more than just ‘talking the talk.’ Yosef, living among the morally lacking Egyptian society, carried himself with an air of godliness that beyond finding expression in speech, was natural and innate in his personality. While it is hard to rely on it fully, most of us have probably felt something special when being around a great person. While a long white beard might help, sometimes someone just exudes a certain spirit of G-d within him or her. On the flip side, one can sometimes sense when he is around someone dangerous or evil. Yosef apparently succeeded in conveying the former earlier in his stay, thereby receiving the full trust of his masters. Yet by the time he met Paroh, this characteristic was able to give him unprecedented authority.
Let us connect this to the Chanuka story. The first recorded encounter between the great Greek Empire and Judaism is the story of Alexander the Great’s meeting with Shimon Hatzaddik (see Yoma 69a and midrashim). The sight of Shimon Hatzaddik in kohen gadol’s garb (along with some Divine Providence) convinced Alexander that this was a person with whom he wanted to coexist harmoniously. Even or especially an emperor/warrior can sense when he is in the presence of someone spiritually great in a manner he can only appreciate from afar. Perhaps by the time of the Chanuka story, we lacked leaders with that degree of an aura of sanctity. This forced us to survive spiritually by taking on the empire through willingness to give one’s life and the bravery to beat the enemy at their own game of war.
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.
