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Beit Midrash
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Bringing children into the world is a statement of faith and hope in the Jewish future. Even in our day every Jewish child that is born in our country or in the Diaspora represents a declaration of faith and hope for the future well being of our people and the world generally. Children are also a declaration that one does not live only for one’s self. The entire idea of selflessness and responsibility one for another is based on children and family. Parents care for and raise children and children care for and help their parents later in life. The statement of Rabi Akiva that the great rule of the Torah is "to love others as you love yourself" begins with family and children. And it has always been the righteous women of Israel, our wives, mothers and daughters that have epitomized this highest of all standards of human behavior. In a cold and dark world that is often cruel if not even murderous, the women of Israel in Egypt - the great midwives. Shifra and Puah - stood for humane behavior and Godly virtues. They helped Jewish children live and survive. It is therefore no wonder that Jewish tradition places the credit for our freedom from Egyptian bondage at their feet. The Torah links its imperative "to choose life" with the other imperative of "reviving, saving and helping children live." Whereas in the animal world the offspring are abandoned by the parents after a period of time in human culture a child always remains one’s child till the end of life itself. Because that child represents all of one’s hopes and accomplishments in this world and in immortality as well.
Our society today has made great strides in improving the status of women. There still is a long way to go but there is no comparison in terms of education, professions, mobility and opportunity of women’s rights today as what was available even a few short decades ago. This is true in the religious society of the Jewish people today as well. Our great grandmothers in Eastern Europe may have been in the main illiterate but our daughters and granddaughters are biblical scholars, physicians, professors and educators. What a boon this has been to Jewish life and its richness of thought and knowledge. Again the righteousness of our women is not only measured in their ritual piety, necessary as that is for Jewish continuity, but in their vast influence and spirit which has so enriched our current society. From the women of Israel in Egypt to Devorah, Hulda, Esther, Dona Gracia Beatrice Mendez, Sarah Schnirer and our own mothers, wives and daughters the spirit of Israel has been nurtured by the optimism and sacrifice of Jewish women. It is they that provide much merit for our ultimate redemption and freedom. So the story of the Exodus from Egypt repeats itself in this fashion in our days as well. And so may it be.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
