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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
Judaism is built primarily on the tradition from the fathers (see Kuzari 1:25). "Ask your father and he will tell you" (Devarim 32:7). The mitzva to honor parents is a special mitzva that is a foundation for all of Judaism. By respecting our parents, we strengthen the knowledge that we are not beginning from scratch, but rather that we have a chain of inheritance. We inherit philosophies and characteristics even when we do not recognize that this has happened. The Rambam (Igeret Teiman) writes that when the Torah says about Moshe, "and even in you they will believe forever," this indicates that at the revelation at Sinai, Israel received a permanent feeling of belief. This goes so far that whoever does not have such a feeling can be suspected of not being a descendant of those who stood before Sinai.
On one hand, there is a need for "number of names," that each person has his own independent value. On the other hand, he is still identified according to his family. Everyone has to add his own contribution, but he does so as a continuation of his predecessors. This is the idea of "each man by his encampment and each man by his flag" (Bamidbar 1:52). It is important to encourage family traditions: joint singing of zemirot around the Shabbat table, special tunes for seder night, etc. These old things are important, like inserting new things, especially those that can catch on and last.
Along with the spirit of renewal, an irreverence for that which is a relic of the past has developed. This haughtiness brings on a trivialization of a tradition of life that was developed over many generations and an erasure of history. People do not bother to learn the inner strengths that pushed the nation to survive over generations.
When Bilam saw Bnei Yisrael, he said: "From the tops of mountains I saw them" (Bamidbar 23:9), which refers to the patriarchs and matriarchs (Rashi, ad loc.). Chazal tell us that the Divine Presence dwells in Israel only when there are families whose lineage is clear (Kiddushin 70b). Some people want to give us "new Torahs," but they need to know what the Rambam taught us, that our Torah will not be switched. Rather, we should "look at the Torah every day as if it were new" (Rashi, Devarim 26:16). Several modern forms of idol worship have already passed from the world: worship of utopian societies, worship of the State. All of the non-Torah utopias are slowly disappearing. Only that which continues from the past on to the future is steady.
Parashat Hashavua Parashat Hashavua: “With a Strong Hand He Will Expel Them from His Land
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, p. 205-6
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
