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Now we will look at the highest level of acceptance our forefathers made and at its modern-day application. The people said at Sinai "na’aseh v’nishma" (we will do, and we will hear). Interestingly, the nation repeated a similar declaration at the time of Yehoshua (see Yehoshua 24:24).
The acceptance of the Torah after the Exodus from Egypt serves as a model for all generations of the process that a conversion candidate goes through. It consists of circumcision (for men), immersion in a mikveh, and acceptance of the mitzvot. Let us understand the place of acceptance of mitzvot, which all agree is a step in a properly done conversion.
If a candidate is unwilling to accept the mitzvot or even part of one mitzva, beit din may not accept him (Bechorot 30b). We would then expect that a candidate should have to learn all the laws so that it can be determined whether he is accepting everything. However, this is not so. The gemara (Sanhedrin 59a) derives from "Moshe commanded to us the Torah, a legacy to the congregation of Yaakov" (Devarim 33:4) that we are not allowed to teach Torah to a non-Jew. How can he accept that which we cannot teach him? The simple answer is that we are only supposed to teach him a small representative sampling of the mitzvot, based on which he makes his decision whether he is willing to accept all of the mitzvot. (Admittedly, nowadays it has been decided to be somewhat "lenient" and teach conversion classes much more than was once taught - see our opinion in Bemareh Habazak, vol. II). The normal process, though, is that acceptance of the mitzvot is done not after careful study but in the mold of "we will do and hear." He accepts to become a Jew with the understanding that this will obligate him in many ways that he only has a vague knowledge of. This leap of faith is what happened at Sinai. This is what Yehoshua demanded, and this is what is the essence of what converts are expected to do in all generations.
In our parasha we hear of Timna, the concubine of Elifaz son of Eisav, mother of Amalek. Chazal (Sanhedrin 99b) tell us that she sought to convert to (pre-Sinaitic) Judaism and was rejected by the forefathers. This mistake allowed Amalek to be born, with all of the pain that he brought upon us. Let us proclaim our intention to not unnecessarily close our hearts and distance those who sincerely come to enter under the wings of the Holy One Blessed be He and join Am Yisrael.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
