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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
A primitive vessel is not significantly affected by a flaw in one of its sections. The more delicate and complex the utensil and its mechanism, the more significance each of its parts has. In fact sometimes the smallest parts have the greatest significance. We cannot measure the mitzvot and sins found in the Torah, yet we learn something about their value from their results. If the Torah commanded the whole nation to remember Miriam’s mistake, we could learn something about the severity of that type of speech.
Tzara’at comes as a result of lashon hara (Arachin 15b), and the remedy for the sin is, "In solitude he shall sit outside the encampment" (Vayikra 13:46). He who separates between people by telling venomous stories that arouse people’s jealousy and hatred deserves specifically to himself be separated from people.
There is also a special prohibition in regard to tzara’at: it is forbidden to cut off a tzara’at lesion (Devarim 24:9; Makkot 22a). Just as speech and thought can impact the body, so can sin find expression on the body. The impurity ruins the flow of the blood and causes damage to the skin. Yet the one who would cut off the tzara’at does not want to deal with the root cause and regret his actions. Instead of going into temporary solitude, he would try to run away from the consequences. How much damage does this type of person cause to those around him and actually to himself?! When the affliction is in the open it is easier to keep one’s distance from it, literally and figuratively. The way of dealing with it must be internal, as Judaism generally prescribes, not by artificially removing it or by covering it up.
[This derasha was given in 1938, apparently in response to some local issue that Rav Yisraeli took very seriously]. What is European culture? What is hiding under the overflowing cosmetics, impressive rhetoric, and artificially flashy intellectuality? It is an attempt to "purify the sheretz (impure animal) with 150 arguments." It is to cover up human flaws, primitive instincts, and base desires with fancy but hollow explanations. When you try to cover things up, they are liable to grow and expand until one finally cannot hide them anymore.
Sometimes we suffice by "putting up posters," posters that announce that we are good and thereby hide our shortcomings. We show off the poster of being religious laborers, and then we do not have to deal with our moral shortcomings. "One can see all flaws except for the flaws that afflict himself" (Negaim 2:5). Let us look at ourselves and check the "storage chambers" of our souls by the light of the Torah and mitzvot.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts