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Beit Midrash
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We have discussed in the past the novel idea of Rabbi Yehuda Alkelai, one of the visionaries of Modern Zionism. He said that one of the forms of repentance that our parashiyot refer to is the nation’s return to Eretz Yisrael. This is the idea of "you shall contemplate in your heart amongst the nations where Hashem dispersed you" and "you shall return to Hashem ..." (Devarim 30:1-2). As a result of the desire to return, the next stage is: "If your dispersals will be at the edge of the heaven, from there Hashem will gather you and from there He will take you. Hashem will bring you to the Land ..." (ibid. 4-5).
After the return to Hashem through the return to the Land, it is the turn of the individuals to improve, as the Torah continues: "Hashem will circumcise your heart ..." (ibid. 6). According to this approach, the matter of nation’s righteousness can be understood along the same lines. The people’s return to the Land brings righteousness to the members of the nation.
The haftara also dwells on the topic of return to the Land, its flourishing, and the joy and success of its inhabitants. "I shall indeed rejoice in Hashem, my spirit shall soar with my God, for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, a coat of kindness He has placed on me, as a groom who is adorned in glory and a bride who wears beautiful garments. For the Land will bring forth its vegetation, and like a garden its seeds will grow..." (Yeshaya 61:10-11).
The miraculous return to the Land is compared to the joyous rendezvous of bride and groom. The Land that remained desolate when its nation’s enemies occupied it will react with glee when its nations returns, showing this by giving its fruit. This renewal of the connection between the Land and the nation is part of the nation’s return to Hashem, Who gave the Land to them. The navi goes so far as to describe the connection between the Land and the people who come to inhabit it in terms of consummating a marriage (ibid. 62: 4-5).
The important final stage is the personal return to Hashem of the members of the nation, which turns the Land of Israel into the Land of Sanctity. Without this there can be no complete salvation. The prophet describes this with the pasuk: "They will be called the holy nation, those redeemed by Hashem" (ibid. 12).
May we merit seeing our nation throughout its Land, growing nationally and spiritually.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
