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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.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
