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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
He who sees the Passageway of the Sea (i.e., the place where Bnei Yisrael crossed the Red Sea) and the Passageway of the Jordan (where they entered Eretz Yisrael) ... All who see them should give praise and thanks to Hashem.
Ein Ayah: Among people who see places connected to miracles, there are some who appreciate the miracles and react emotionally upon seeing the places where Hashem did great things. Even those who lack a full understanding of miracles, in general, have some light shine in their spirits when they are exposed to places where wondrous miracles happened that caused a great deal of light to shine on the world. That is the reason that the gemara stresses that everyone should make a blessing in the special places mentioned.
The beracha focuses not only on the direct benefit that the miracles caused, but also on the resulting recognition of the Divine glory. The gemara mentions two elements of our reaction: giving praise and thanking Hashem. There were boundless positive results, both physical and spiritual, that were achieved by means of the miracles that affected Klal Yisrael, which includes every individual within it. Corresponding to this, we are required to give specific thanks. While Bnei Yisrael should give specific thanks for their special, more direct part in that good, the praise also relates to the benefit to the whole world from Bnei Yisrael’s spiritual benefit.
The Reason for The Miracles
(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 9:5)
Gemara:
The Passageway of the Sea is understandable as it says, "Bnei Yisrael came into the midst of the sea in dry land" (Shemot 14:22), as is the Passageway of the Jordan, as it is written, "... and all of Israel passed through it in dry land" (Yehoshua 3:17).
Ein Ayah: The language of this gemara fits in well with the thesis of the Rambam (Yesodei Hatorah 8:1). He said that the main purpose of the miracle of the splitting of the sea was not to prove the reliability of Moshe, for this was to be accomplished clearly at the giving of the Torah at Sinai. There it says, "... and in you [Moshe] they will believe forever" (Shemot 19:9). Rather, the main purpose was to enable Bnei Yisrael to pass the Sea, the Jordan, and the Arnon Valley, respectively. In order to stress this, the Rabbis refer to each one as "the Passageway."
On the other hand, presumably, even the Rambam would agree that the reason that they were in the position that the miracles became necessary was for the spiritual gain of heightened belief in Hashem and fear of Him. Even if the Rambam did not think that this was the main factor, it certainly was a factor.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
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.
