YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Bechukotai
The main sin that is described in the breach of the covenant by Israel is always the substitution of foreign gods, alien values, foolish whims of the times, for God’s Torah and the worship of God alone. Once there were foreign gods that were represented by actual statues, idols, icons and other such physical representations. Much of our world has outgrown these forms of idolatry and this is due greatly to the unremitting struggle of Judaism against such practices. However in our current world milieu and time these childish forms of idol worship have been replaced by the adoption of systems of values that are completely antithetical to Judaism and the Torah. These value systems are coated in the garb of modernity and progressivism even though they are only a rehash of much of what was acceptable in ancient classical times amongst the then ruling societies in the world. Thus Judaism has been distorted by many to accommodate their newly obtained liberal and humanistic values system, so that these distortions have become almost Orwellian in nature. The Soviet Union and its fellow travelers taught the world that words like democracy, peace, paradise and progressive can be manipulated to mean the exact opposite of what they were intended to mean. The Soviet Union may be gone but its evil, its anti-Semitism and scorn for Jews lives on. We should be careful not to fall into the trap of modern idolatry lest again untoward consequences for us may arise.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
