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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Shmini
Moshe assured the people that this was the day when Hashem would appear to them with His glory (Vayikra 9:4), as the culmination and indeed the raison d’être of the construction of the Mishkan (Shemot 25:8). The hopeful wait was not easy, as the construction process was followed by seven days when Moshe did the right service, while the shechina (Divine Presence) did not yet appear. Moshe explained to them that for the shechina to come, his brother, Aharon, had to assume the role of kohen (Rashi to Vayikra 9:23).
The humble Aharon hesitantly took up his post and did as he was commanded. After bringing the korbanot, he uttered a blessing, which Chazal tell us was the following: "Let it be His will to dwell the shechina in the work of your hands." In other words, Aharon was saying: "It is not my doing, but the work of your hands. The Mishkan will be the Divine dwelling place to the extent that you prepared a proper place for Him with the proper intentions - not to show off or to have a lovely edifice. It was crucial that you did everything ‘as Hashem commanded Moshe.’" This is representative of the general need to nullify one’s desire before Hashem’s and to understand that man is not capable of grasping everything that Hashem knows or does. Some things man must accept without questions but must lower his head in humble submission.
Indeed this worked, and the shechina came down to the Mishkan to the excited but awestruck nation. However, amidst the elation, a bitter pill had to be swallowed. In contrast to the idea of submission to the Divine Will, Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, had decided to take their troughs and bring forward a "foreign fire." This was the opposite of what was needed. Instead of a service of self-nullification, they decided on a path of self-expression. Instead of waiting for the fire to come from above, they brought their own fire, and indeed a fire came down to consume them.
Aharon’s turn came to practice what he preached and to accept fully Hashem’s decree without qualms. He was to continue his service without even showing the signs of mourning, as this was what was required of someone with his level of dedication. After Aharon succeeded in continuing in powerful silence (ibid. 3), he merited that Hashem spoke to him directly to teach him the laws he needed for his continued service.
This power of self-effacement and ignoring one’s self-interest when involved in serving Hashem is something that found expression in later leaders. The regular haftara of Shemini tells how David danced before the aron in a wild manner that could have embarrassed him (and should have, according to his wife, Michal) (Shmuel II 6:14). It is the willingness to give up oneself for Hashem that is the secret recipe to earning the privilege of leadership in Israel for the time and for posterity.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.