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Beit Midrash
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The account of the ma’apilim contains several elements that we would like to take note of. The people woke up early in the morning, saying "henenu" (we are ready) to go up "to the place that Hashem spoke of." Moshe warned them not to because "Hashem will not be in your midst."
Many of these elements are present in an even more famous section of the Torah, that recounting akeidat Yitzchak (the binding of Isaac). Avraham said he was ready and woke up early in the morning to go to the place that Hashem had appointed. Yitzchak, too, said he was ready. In both cases, people were ready to give or risk their lives for what they believed was desired by Hashem. The great difference was that Avraham went to the mountain on which it was said that "Hashem will be seen." In contrast the ma’apilim went in a situation where Hashem was not in their midst.
Why was Hashem’s presence found in one place and missing in the other? Avraham and Yitzchak nullified their personal interests in order to fulfill that which Hashem had commanded them to do, at the cost of dear life. However, the ma’apilim did what they wanted, albeit to get to the Land that Hashem had wanted to give to Bnei Yisrael, but not by following His commandments. That ended in Chorma, in destruction (which is what the word means). However, in the part of the story that is accounted in our parasha, the people first received permission to fight and swore to dedicate their victory and its spoils to Hashem. In that case, the destruction was done by them in retaliation against the enemy.
Let us hope that the young and brave amongst us, who are ready to sacrifice their lives, will do so in a manner of being ready to listen to Hashem’s instructions.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
