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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
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As Bnei Yisrael was preparing for independence, like other nations enjoy, many made the mistake of thinking that their survival would depend on the same things it would for other nations. They left with arms, ready to assemble an army of warriors. They thus left with a "powerful hand" (Shemot 14:8). When they were accumulating the spoils that would get them off "on the right foot" economically, their leader, of all people, had other concerns. He was attending to the bones of an old deceased leader, which were buried under the Nile for many decades, a seemingly irrelevant act at this time of great immediate opportunity. While it might have been a pious act, where was the "wisdom of the heart" that the pasuk refers to?
The people found out the answer to that question a few days later. Paroh, who the people thought they had seen the last of, was attacking with a whole army of well-armed Egyptians. In one moment, the hearts of the previously confident former slaves froze in fear. The people started screaming that they would be annihilated. What happened to all the weapons they brought with them and all the plans to use them? Did they not know how to fight for their lives?
As we know, they were saved by the miracle of the splitting of the sea. But how did that happen? The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 87:8) tells us that "the sea saw and fled" (Tehillim 114:3) refers to seeing the casket of Yosef. What power did Yosef possess that so "scared" the sea?
Yosef represented the power of mesirut nefesh (the willingness to sacrifice) for Judaism. It was Yosef who resisted his temptation from Potiphar’s wife, even at the price of being put in jail. When he eventually became powerful, it was he who refused to assimilate among the Egyptians and he who wanted to be buried along with his brothers in the Land of Their Fathers. When someone needed to learn how to find the courage to jump into the raging sea, where would he find it? From the spoils he had taken from Egypt?! No, he would find it by contemplating the courage of Yosef. All of the preparations turned out to be useless, except for the inspiration provided by the remains of Yosef, which Moshe had brought. No, it was not "only" piety; Moshe’s planning was a better strategy in the long run as well.
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.
