YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Bechukotai
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Amram son of Sultana
It implies inner pride, self-respect, self-confidence. When G-d freed us from the yoke of Egypt, he simultaneously instilled these qualities within us - qualities which we had lost during our sojourn as slaves of Pharoah. The ideal way to serve G-d is with humility before the King of Kings, but also with an inner pride that we are worthy to stand before the King of Kings.
We come across komamiyut in our daily prayers as well - in that magnificent paragraph that precedes the Shema Yisroel. We ask that G-d "bring us in peace from the four corners of the earth, and then we add - in what is almost a direct paraphrase of the words in our Sedrah - vetolicheinu komamiyut le-artzenu/"and lead us upright to our land." It would have been enough to ask that He lead us to our Land. The addition of the work "komamiyut/upright, " however, adds a new dimension. It implies that not only is it preferable to return to G-d’s Land in an upright position literally - and not wait to be carried there - but that, figuratively as well, we must have the self-confidence and knowledge to return to the Land with pride, in the face of our enemies who would deny us this right.
How is this pride and self-confidence achieved? The construction of this pre-Shema paragraph suggests the progression. It opens with the prayer that G-d in his love for us will teach us His Torah, open our hearts and minds to it, and enlighten our minds so that we understand and practice it. The paragraph closes with the prayer to return upright to the Land - but this is not simply an afterthought, nor is it a new subject. Instead, it follows logically from all that precedes it: we will be worthy of returning to the Land with pride and self respect and self-confidence to the Land only when we have exposed ourselves to the Torah.
Even a surface glance at Israel today substantiates this vies. Those who are most supportive of the Land, who live in it with pride and self-confidence, are those who know the Torah. Those who are least supportive, who are apologetic about being here and are willing to give away even the holiest of places, are by and large the least knowledgeable of Torah.
The same holds true in terms of Aliyah to the Land. Those who come to Israel to live are overwhelmingly observant Jews. Those who are willing to leave Israel are overwhelmingly non-observant Jews. These are not coincidences.
It is the Torah - and not committees or programs or speeches or shelichim - that instills in us the komamiyut that is the major component of being a Jew in contemporary times. And it is Torah study that will ensure the fulfillment of the blessing in Vayikra 26:5 viyeshavtem lavetach b’aretz’chem/ "and you will dwell safely in your land."
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This is a weekly column contributed by Aloh Naaleh an organization devoted to motivating Jews to make Aliya.
Aloh Na'aleh
POB 4337, Jerusalem 91042
Tel: 972-2-566-1181 ext. 320 ~ Fax: 972-2-566-1186
Email: [email protected]
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
