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Beit Midrash
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Two sources of life for the tree: it draws from the moisture of the ground, and absorbs the forces that are embedded in the soil from which it grows; its roots, they assure its certainty in standing against any wind. At its tree-top, the tree enjoys the light and the dancing rays of the sun; on its side, flowers emerge luring the bees to fertilise them.
Two movements of the tree: growth downward, towards the water, towards the soil, from which it grows, and growth upward, towards the sun, from which it derives its life-giving and nourishing warmth and light.
The roots and the tree-top at the extremities of the tree are balanced. As the size of the roots, so is the measure of its branches and leaves. Without roots, any ordinary wind will bend the tree and break it. Without the tree-top, the tree remains - dry wood.
Within the tree, there is a direct connection of moisture between the roots and its tree-top. That same bond between the roots and the leaves, is the very force that guarantees the tree its life. Cut off that bond, and the tree will be destroyed (cut-off and dried out).
Every Jew is like the tree of the field. He is rooted in the solid ground of his ancestors’ legacy, roots of soul and tradition, and turns his head upwards yearning higher and yet higher heavenward. Ancestors’ legacy and love of G-od are those that guarantee the life of man - the tree - within the people of Israel.
The moisture, the water within the tree, is, for the Jew, the wisdom of the Torah. The words of the Torah are compared to water: "It is a tree of life for those who grasp it" (Proverbs 3,18).
T"U BiSHVAT is the New Year of trees, "since most of the year’s rain had ceased" (Babylonian Talmud, Rosh HaShana 14a). The roots of the tree have already become satisfied from the water which came from below, and the tree-top’s leaves start to sprout. They demonstrate and confirm that indeed, a bond exists between the roots and the leaves; between our ancient beginnings and the renewal of our sublime aspirations; between the Lower and the Higher; between Earth and G-od’s Heaven above.
From the book: In the Wake of Festivals and Solemn Days
Thoughts on the Festivals and the Weekly Haftaroth .
By: Rabbi Yerachmiel Yaakov (Eugene Jacob) Duschinsky zt"l, Av-Beth-Din South Africa.
Sefer-Hermon Press, New-York, 1982.
Translated from the original Hebrew by Rabbi Ron Hoffberg and Rabbi Michael Dushinsky,
B"H, Shevat 5764, February 2004, Prague, Czech Republic.
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.
