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Beit Midrash
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As long as peace, even in its most minimalist definition, is not a goal in the Arab world regarding its relationship to Israel and world Jewry generally, all negotiations, proposals, schemes, land swaps, etc. are essentially meaningless. The minimum peace that would be acceptable to the vast majority of people residing in Israel is not a matter of borders, Natanyahu and Obama notwithstanding, but rather it is a mutual agreement to live and let live. We have long ago despaired of the immediate prospect of Yeshayahu’s peace being realized by natural means in our time here in the Middle East. But we are very wary of accepting temporary and uneasy quiet, interrupted by more than occasional violence against Jews, as being the desired goal of our policies and government. As long as our basic right to exist as a free and independent state in our homeland is denied it is difficult to see how a live and let live situation can now emerge. And without that minimum definition of peace being realized it is foolhardy in the utmost to give up further real concessions on the ground in order to chase an illusory peace that has no solid definition. I know that this may not be welcome news to us who truly yearn for a peace that is at least live and let live but we should realize that false illusions are very dangerous to our future survival. Better an uncertain but accurate reality than an imaginary rosy reading of a situation that is completely inaccurate, unreal and composed mainly of wishful thinking.
The Hebrew word for peace - shalom - is also in Jewish tradition known as one of the names of God, so to speak. This is because shalom indicates a degree of wholeness and completeness, a unity of which only God is capable of achieving. Peace therefore in this definition and context is not merely the absence of war and violence, as important and vital as that is. It signifies a state of human existence where people can allow others to exist without threat and the necessity of conformity. It envisions a society where live and let live is the norm of human behavior and polity. It allows for a common goal of decency of behavior and service to God and man. And as the prophets have taught us that "every nation may go forth in worship of their gods and Israel will go forth in the name of its God of Hosts." We are a long way away from achieving this goal and state of peace currently. But traditional Jewish thought has taught us that people are not only judged by their actions - what they currently are - but also by what they wish to be - what are their ultimate goals. May He Who has established peace in His high heavens establish it here on earth for all of Israel as well.
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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.
