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- Articles about Shavuot
A second layer of Shavuot naturally concerns itself with it being the approximate anniversary of the revelation at Sinai and the granting of the Torah to the Jewish nation. "Today - the day of the granting of the Torah to Israel - we have become a people," declared Moshe and so it is. "Our nation is only a nation because of the Torah," Saadia Gaon famously declaimed. The Torah, its study, its values, its commandments, its way of life and thought patterns has been what has shaped and preserved the Jewish people throughout our long and very difficult history. Thus the rabbis declared that if it were not for the day of Shavuot we would have no unique identity as a faith and as a people. Shavuot is therefore really our Independence Day. Because of that long ago Shavuot everything else became possible and we emerged as a special people entrusted with Godly mission and universal eternal truths. It is no wonder therefore that the study of Torah in night long sessions and other sorts of programs are the hallmark of this festival. Nations can celebrate and commemorate their independence in various fashions - fireworks, parades, etc. - but only the Jewish people do so with study, debate and gaining additional knowledge from the endless sources of Torah learning.
Another layer of understanding and appreciating the holiday of Shavuot deals with our treatment of the stranger, the alien, the convert in our midst. The Book of Ruth is traditionally associated with the holiday of Shavuot. In its poignant story of tragedy and redemption we are taught that the Lord demands of us an attitude of compassion and friendship for those who live in our midst but are strangers or newcomers to our society. It is this layer of understanding that helps elevate the holiday of Shavuot from being a particular holiday for Jews alone to one that has a universal message for all humans. The "other" in society is to be treated kindly and not persecuted. The Torah always bids us to remember that we were also strangers - the "other" in the Land of Egypt. Is it not ironic that from the womb of Ruth the Moabite - the ultimate "other" in Judean society at the time of the Judges - should come forth the royal line of Davidic monarchy in the Jewish world? And what practical and moral lesson are we to draw from that paradoxical situation? Again, Shavuot comes to underline for us the importance of a proper attitude and behavior pattern towards strangers and converts who live with us in our land. Shavuot bids us to remember Ruth and her travails and the blessing that all of Israel received through her being part of our people. Shavuot truly has much to teach us and may we be inspired and uplifted by all of its marvelous layers of meaning and commemoration.
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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.
