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The nations of the world count the months from Tishrei, and Bnei Yisrael count from Nisan. Our tradition is that not only is this the month of past liberation, but also of the future one (Rosh Hashana 11a). It also comes with a special mitzva: "Observe the month of the spring."
Deepening our observations, we can conclude that our strength is in our ability for self-renewal. Our deterioration, while existing, is never permanent. Just as spring teaches, winter is the preparation for a new blossoming. Our difficult stay in Egypt was the cauldron out of which our nation emerged. During the Babylonian exile, the yetzer hara for idol worship ceased. During the 2,000 years of the latest exile, not only did we survive, but we developed a renewed desire to take root in the Land of our Fathers.
What is the source of our staying power? It is not in tanks and airplanes; our enemies have plenty. Moshe also had trouble identifying the new moon, i.e., the secret to our ability for renewal. The answer is: "See and sanctify."
"I am a wall ..." (Shir Hashirim 8:10) - this is Torah, "...and my breasts are like towers" - these are houses of prayer and of study" (Pesachim 87a). In exile, in strange lands, under subjugation, we maintained our uniqueness. When we gathered in the shuls, our spiritual fortresses, we dreamed of a return to Zion and to a Jewish kingdom, and we observed the Month of the Spring with its various meanings. We knew that even if liberation took its time, it would come. And indeed, the light of dawn has begun to shine.
However, the danger has not passed. Even as we stand in the "beginning of the flowering of our liberation," we must remember the imperative of the month: "Like this, see and sanctify." When you see this national renewal, do not say that it is just a happy coincidence of history. See it for what it is and sanctify it.
We hear the claims: "What is this work for you?" They claim that mitzva observance made some sense only in the Diaspora to ward off assimilation, which is not a problem in a Jewish State, and so, now, a Jew is whoever and however he sees fit. Our answer is: "Take for you sheep for your families and slaughter the Pesach offering" (Shemot 12:23). There are two elements to the Pesach. One is that all of Bnei Yisrael can fulfill the mitzva with one offering (Kiddushin 42a), an idea epitomizing national unity. On the other hand, it is a "feast of Pesach for Hashem ..." (Shemot 12:27).
Let us learn the lessons of the times. "In every generation, they stand up against us to destroy us." Not just in foreign lands, but in our Land as well, there is still anti-Semitism. It goes up and down, is covered by different facades, and is fueled by new claims. We are once accused of militarism, other times, of capitalism. They devise new names and new lies. The common denominator is that we are seen as a strange nation, which prompts nations both to hate us and to fear us, as the pasuk says: "Nations heard and trembled, fear took hold of the inhabitants of Peleshet" (ibid. 15:14).
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.
