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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
While many explanations have been said it seems to me that the following one has merit as well. There is a difference between the power that one has to decide something and the power he has to carry it out. Theoretically, these two powers are directly connected, as that which one wants, he carries out. However, in practice, there can be quite a distance between what one decides and what one does, as some good things remain a good wish and no more. Execution requires effort, sacrificing comfort, and overcoming difficulties, which are harder than just wanting something.
We remember well the days of the struggle against the British Mandate before the State of Israel was established. It was a very, very difficult struggle and included a tremendous amount of discomfort. However, the Jewish community stood up to the challenges in a very impressive way. The important thing to us was reaching the goal of statehood. In contrast, since the time we achieved independence, we often see laxness under pressure and a weakening of resolve, causing many goals to remain unachieved. It is not that it is impossible to achieve what we want, but that we have lost some of our stubbornness. What is behind the change?
The biggest difference is that then, as we used to like to say, we had a secret weapon called ein bereira (there is no alternative). As they used to say in the Navardok Yeshiva: "When you can’t do something, you have to do it; and when you have to, then you can do it."
The same thing is true regarding the giving of the Torah. The saying of na’aseh v’nishma was fully sincere, but expressed only proper good will. However, Hashem knew human nature and knew that before too long Bnei Yisrael would be dancing around a Golden Calf, because there is a big distance between deciding and succeeding to carry out. It is easier to dance around a Calf than to "’kill oneself’ in the tent [of Torah]." It takes Divine Assistance, and that is what Hashem provided with a little bit of coercion, in the form of a "mountain over their heads." He showed them that it is not only their desire to accept the Torah but that there is no other way. The entire existence of the Nation of Israel depends upon the extent to which they keep the Torah. This feeling of no alternative is what allows the good will to triumph in practice.
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.
