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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Lag Ba'omer
The Talmud offers us the insight that even among the great disciples of Rabi Akiva there was a lack of mutual respect one for the other. All of us are loath to grant another’s opinion and viewpoint legitimacy and consideration. We feel somehow threatened ad demeaned by opinions and people who somehow do not conform to our deeply held standards of behavior and opinion. This gives rise to eventual tragedy in Jewish life as the Talmud points our regarding Rabi Akiva’s disciples. Just as this is true regarding internal Jewish life as exemplified by the story of the disciples of Rabi Akiva so too is it applicable to the relationship of the general world towards Judaism and Jews currently and throughout the ages. The world begrudges granting a modicum of respect to those who are perceived as being the most nonconformist of all faiths and peoples. Eventually this lack of respect cumulatively builds to the concerted attempt to deal with these people in a violent fashion. We state in the Pesach Hagadah that this remains an ongoing situation in Jewish relations with the rest of the world. In every generation there exist those that wish to eliminate us completely and yet somehow with God’s help we survive, bloodied but unbowed. A people that lives under the constant and omnipresent threat of annihilation will therefore mark on its calendar as a special day a day when Jews stopped dying. It is not much of a stretch from not giving basic respect to others to finally demonizing them and wishing to destroy them root and branch. Just as the fires of Lag B’Omer consume the wood gathered for the bonfire, so too does the lack of basic human respect one for the other consume the lives of many innocent people.
Lag B’Omer therefore comes to redirect our moral and social compass to allow us to respect those that are different than we are. We certainly need no agree with those who we believe to have wrong ideas, ideals and policies. We also are certainly not bidden to be the "turn the other cheek" people. But unnecessary divisiveness and mean disrespect for others, an inability to honor those that somehow differ with us, is a sure fire recipe for future disaster and tragedy. I feel that this is the basic underlying message of Lag B’Omer, that in commemorating the day when Jews stopped dying almost nineteen centuries ago, we are to internalize the message of where not giving honor one to another can lead. The commemoration of Lag B’Omer this year as in many years in the past as well is clouded by threats and dangers directed against us. But we believe that there will again be a day when Jews will stop dying and that day will be hastened by a better social comity of mutual respect given by one Jew to another.
Ein Aya "Reality Has No Wings" - Revolutions & Improvements Must be Done Patiently
Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 274
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
