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Beit Midrash
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- 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.
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.
