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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
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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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.
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.
