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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
What this all teaches us about Am Yisrael is that our strength is in our ability of renewal. While we have low points, they are never final. As in nature, the cold of winter is a preparation for the blossoming of spring. The difficult experience in Egypt was actually the cauldron from which a new nation emerged. During the exile in Bavel, the evil inclination toward idol worship was removed. Even the 2,000 years of exile we have experienced did not destroy us, and it actually spawned within us the desire for a new life, reestablishing our ties to the Land of our Fathers.
What is the secret of our proclivity to rejuvenation? It is not our weapons or our enthusiasm, which our enemies also possess. Rather, Moshe was shown the secret to renewal: "see and sanctify." The gemara (Pesachim 87a) says that our "wall" and "fortresses" are the Torah, shuls and study halls. Even scattered among the nations, we maintained a level of independence and uniqueness. In these spiritual fortresses, we dreamed of a return to Zion and renewed political independence. We observed the month of spring with hope for our future redemption, as well, however far off it seemed. In our times, we have seen the light of day, and the scent of spring blossom before us.
However, the danger has by no means passed. We are still bound by the words, "Like this, see and sanctify." When you see a renewal, call out in the name of Hashem; do not see it as a natural occurrence. We hear calls of: "What is this work for you? Focus on ritual was good for the exile, to help ward off assimilation, but what need for it exists in our own Jewish state? Let everyone define for himself if he is a Jew and what that means to him." However, the Torah says: "Pull to you and take for yourself a Pesach sacrifice ... and slaughter the Pesach" (Shemot 12:21). What is special about this sacrifice? On one hand, the entire nation is described as bringing it at one time (see Kiddushin 42a), thus stressing unity. On the other hand, we declare that it is an offering to Hashem (Shemot 12:27).
What we need to learn is that in every generation, nations rise up to destroy us, whether in the exile or in our own Land. Anti-Semitism just changes faces, clinging to different excuses. We are blamed for militarism, capitalism, oppressing foreigners, etc. The common denominator is that we always stick out like a sore thumb. The nations both hate us and are afraid of us, as Moshe promised so long ago (see Shemot 15:14).
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.