YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- Foundations of Faith
The Torah study is dedicatedto the full recovery of
Asher Ishaayahu Ben Rivka
The story of the human race is a history of the evolution of the Divine spark in man. The first human, Adam, the Almighty's own direct handiwork, was created flawless, "In the image of God, He created him." Yet, not all of Adam's progeny inherited this elevated status. Only one of Adam's sons inherited his Divine character; the rest lacked this quality. The Scriptures clearly state that "Adam had a son in his likeness and form. He named him Seth," and then, "he had sons and daughters" (Genesis 5:3). Neither the names of these "sons and daughters," nor the fact that they possessed any likeness to Adam is mentioned in the verse. This evidences that they, as we have said, did not attain the Divine status of their father. Enosh inherited the Divine spark from his father, Seth, while the rest of Seth's sons did not. In this manner the Divine spark was passed down generation after generation until it finally reached Noah and Shem and was passed on to the Patriarch Abraham. From Abraham it continued in Isaac, but not to his other offspring; from Isaac it was passed on to Jacob, but not to Esau. In Jacob, the Divine element reached such forceful perfection that it became the inheritance of all of his offspring for all generations. This unique attribute is called "Segulat Yisrael."
Until the time of Jacob, this "Segula" been the personal possession of a sole individual in each generation; after Jacob it was dispersed among his offspring. Before Jacob, one who merited the Divine spark was like the fruit among humankind - like a buried treasure. The rest of humanity was like the peel of the fruit. They were of a different makeup than their father.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
11 - 11. Creation and History in the Torah
12 - 12. A History of the Divine
13 - 13. Faith Needs No Rational Proof
Load More
The Khazar king asks: Why did God give Torah to the Jewish people alone? Why not give it to all of humanity? God created everything, and all of the people in the world are His handiwork. This being the case, God should have desired for all of humanity to receive the Torah.
In response to this question, the wise Rabbi explains that God's Divine word was given to the Chosen People alone, for they alone inherited the Divine spark. The Torah is not appropriate for the rest of the nations. Our Sages explain that before giving Torah to the Jews, the Almighty offered it to the rest of the nations as well. Each nation asked what was written in it, and upon hearing what the Torah demanded of them, each nation demurred. Indeed, the Divine law suits the Divine people alone.
Israel is illuminated by the Divine light, and through them the name of God is spread to all of humanity. Israel is the Divine heart of all humanity.
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.
