YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Ki Tisa
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The covering of the face is also a theme in the recently read Megillat Esther. There were seven important officers who were described as "those who would see the king’s face" (Esther 1: 9, 14). One of the keys to the Jews’ success in the Purim story is Mordechai’s uncovering of the plot of Bigtan and Teresh to assassinate the king. One can prove from Yirmiyah 35:4 that these would-be murderers were very high ranking officers as well.
A similar story with a different ending occurred in Assyria. As we know from our sources (Melachim II, 19:37), King Sancheriv was killed by his sons, Adarmelech and Sharetzer, in an attempted coup that ended with a third son receiving the throne. A fascinating document was uncovered from the Assyrian royal archive some years ago, which also relates to our concept of face covering. A simple citizen uncovered the princes’ plot and wanted to warn Sancheriv. He went to the palace and asked for an urgent meeting with the king. However, the king was too busy and thus passed the job over to his son, the assassin. According to the practice of the time, simple people were not allowed to see the king’s face and so the unsuspecting citizen did not see that he was telling the story to the subject of his story. The latter revealed himself to the tattle-tale and had him killed before killing his father. At the end, the assassination was successful but the takeover of the leadership was not. The archive document dealt with compensation to the family of the unfortunate citizen, who had risked his life for the king’s welfare.
In any case, we see that one has to have a high station to see the face of the king. Now, we can understand better the imagery we have seen. Being able or not being able to see Hashem is a strong indication of the people’s closeness to Him. In regard to Moshe as well, the fact that his face was covered from them, was a way of demonstrating that the people had dipped below the level where they could interact directly with their humble, but holy and untainted, leader.
May we merit being among those who get to see the face of the King!
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.
