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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Lech Lecha
Why wasn’t the covenant done with all the descendants of the righteous Shem? The answer seems to be alluded to in the story of Nimrod, found in last week’s parasha. He is described as a great warrior, who took control of much of the region of Mesopotamia (Bereishit 10: 8-10). This region is one that is populated primarily by the descendants of Shem. Chazal attributed to Nimrod the dubious distinction of the leader of the generation that built the Tower of Bavel. Thus, we can view Nimrod as rebelling against Noach’s decree that the sons of Cham will be subservient to those of Shem and Yefet, and he did so with the plan to generally rebel against Hashem.
Avraham was the only one who had the bravery to rebel against Nimrod’s leadership and publicly criticize his heretical ways. It was against that backdrop that Avraham left Ur Kasdim, as the Torah retells at the end of Parashat Noach. That is why, in Parashat Lech Lecha, Avraham is chosen to have a new covenant made with his family. Looking carefully at Bereishit 17: 1-15, one sees many of the phrases and ideas found in regard to the covenant with Noach repeated here. These include the idea of seeing, the sign of the covenant, and an eternal covenant.
However, it may be even more instructive to consider the differences between the processes of entering into the two covenants. Whereas the rainbow was found in a place where all can see, Hashem appeared to Avraham in a manner that involved only him. Instead of "all flesh" being involved, as was the case regarding Noach, this covenant is found in the flesh of "every male." Finally, the place of the sign of the covenant is the most covered part of the body.
The covenant with Avraham ushered in a new chapter in human history. Avraham was chosen to establish a holy nation, one that guards the covenant and makes the matter of physical modesty a necessary and fundamental condition for the fulfillment of the mitzva to procreate. The nation of Avraham’s descendants was charged with the obligation to teach the world about the oneness of Hashem, which takes on its full meaning when we base our lives on sanctity and purity.
On Yom Kippur, we beseeched Hashem, "Labrit habet v’al tefen layetzer" (look at the covenant and do not look at [the actions instigated by our evil] inclinations. A key to the success of our request that Hashem look at the covenant is that we keep our part in the covenant.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
