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Beit Midrash
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On the first day of Pesach, we stop praying for rain and even praising Hashem for it. The severely prohibited chametz comes from a meeting between grain and water. Some groups even keep water away from matza after it is baked. The miracles around the liberation culminate with Bnei Yisrael going through the sea in dryness.
On Sukkot, so much is related to water. The shaking of the lulav is a way to pray for an abundance of rain in the upcoming season. Aravot are identified by the Torah as growing on streams, and the hadas leaves are shaped like rain drops. Hitting the aravot and the Hoshana prayers are related to requests for rain. In the Beit Hamikdash, there were libations of water only on Sukkot, as all year wine was poured, and this was accompanied by the Simchat Beit Hasho’eva activities, which were particularly joyous events.
There is another major contrast between Pesach, when we distance ourselves from water, the universal sign of life, and Sukkot. Pesach is observed within the house, where the Korban Pesach must be eaten in a group. Not only might goyim be insulted by the verses of Shefoch Chamatcha, but they cannot partake with us in the wine and the Korban Pesach. In contrast, on Sukkot, we go out of the normal house, with its firm walls, into an incomplete structure. We are much more universalistic in thought, as we read about hosting the nations of the world in Yerushalayim in our future Beit Hamikdash (see Zecharya 14).
It is interesting that Ezra, who put a lot of focus in his public work, on separating Bnei Yisrael from the nations that had settled in Eretz Yisrael and strengthening the hold on Yerushalayim, began his journey to the Land in the beginning of the month of Nisan (Ezra 7:9). In contrast, Shlomo celebrated the opening of the first Beit Hamikdash specifically on Sukkot (Melachim I, 8:2), and in his address stresses his universalistic dreams for the holy structure.
Let us hope that we will merit that Am Yisrael will experience the holiday of our freedom in a spirit of proper balance between the factors that bring us to gather in and those that bring us to have influence on the outside world.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.