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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
"Hashem said to Moshe [in the aftermath of the sin of the Golden Calf]: ‘Go, lower yourself’" (Shemot 32:7). Rav Elazar explained [that it was not just that he should descend Mt. Sinai but] that he should go down from his high level. He was in effect saying: "The only reason that I gave you such greatness is because of Israel. Now that Israel has sinned, why do you need [such greatness]?" Immediately, his strength waned, and he did not have strength to speak. Once he heard Hashem say: "Release Me, and I will destroy them" (Devarim 9:14), Moshe said [to himself]: "The matter is up to me." He strengthened himself in prayer and asked for mercy.
Ein Ayah: The leader has to be appreciated by the people he leads. Therefore, even if the leader is many and significant levels higher than the nation, it is still important that there should be some shared status between them.
Since before the sin, Bnei Yisrael were on a high level, Moshe’s level was extremely high. However, after they sinned, had Moshe’s level stayed as high as it had been, he could not have led them because he could not have influenced those so far beneath him. That is why Moshe was required to lower himself so that he would be able to continue to lead.
At first Moshe thought that Hashem meant that he lost his own personal greatness because of Bnei Yisrael’s spiritual fall. After all, there are times that a leader’s greatness comes only from the power of the community he leads, whereas personally, he is nothing special. In contrast, the personal level of other leaders is far above their community, and they can relate to the people only to the extent they lead them. Moshe thought that he belonged to the former category and that this is what Hashem meant when He said: "The only reason that I gave you such greatness is because of Israel." However, when Hashem said, "Release Me, and I will destroy them," Moshe realized that Hashem’s personal regard for him was intact. Therefore, he should make great efforts in his prayers despite Bnei Yisrael’s much decreased level.
Holding Back Hashem?
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:54)
Gemara:
"Now leave Me" (Shemot 32:10). Rav Avahu said: If the pasuk would not have not written it, we could not have said it. It teaches us that Moshe, as if it were literally possible, grabbed Hashem like a person grabs another person’s garment and said to Him: "I will not release You until you relinquish Your rights and forgive them."
Ein Ayah: The principle behind this matter deals with the apparent contradiction between what apparently should have happened and what did happen. From Bnei Yisrael’s perspective, they had lost so much of the level Hashem planned for them that they were fit to be destroyed. This would clear the way for another complete nation, which was fit for the purpose Hashem had intended, to take their place.
However, this was prevented by Moshe, who toiled to use his great powers to raise Bnei Yisrael out of their lowly position so they could eventually reach the level they needed. With hope for their future restored, the contemplated destruction became unnecessary.
The parable of someone holding on to the garment is fitting. If the one being held wanted, he could have taken off the garment and been free to act. By not doing so, the one who was being held sent a message that he was willing to be held back. It is the Divine Providence that prepares great people within the nation to make the improvement of the nation an option, instead of destroying it and leaving the way open for a replacement. With the efforts of this great man, in place of total destruction comes a flow of charity, as the pasuk says: "He [the wise person] saved the city with his wisdom" (Kohelet 9:15).
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
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.
