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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Amram son of Sultana
Examining Noach’s history from its beginning, we see that his very name foretold that "he shall console us from our actions and the sorrowful state of our hands from the land that Hashem cursed." The Torah continues that Noach began his family at the age of 500. This was a very advanced age, even according to the long lives of those days. The Torah seems to leave Noach and go on to describe how the bnei elohim (the sons of the powerful) saw the girls of the land, and forcibly took for themselves whichever ones found favor in their eyes. If we take a look at the different elements that are before us, we receive the following picture.
While Noach did not immediately involve himself in procreation, the powerful people of the world did, but in a different manner, one which corrupted the world. Men at the top of the social structure abused their power by forcing themselves on young women (see Rambam, Melachim 4:4). This unacceptable tendency of man to try to satisfy all his base inclinations continued until people began taking married women and even "mating" with other men and animals (see Tanchuma, Bereishit 33). The midrash describes how, once the leaders allowed liberties for themselves and their families in these matters, all of society deteriorated to a point of "each man, as he sees fit in his eyes he does." Once man was sexually corrupt, even the animal kingdom followed suit and started interbreeding.
The world had felt a glimmer of hope of reverting to an almost Gan Eden state with the birth of the modest Noach, who was capable of restoring some harmony between mankind and the land. Yet, it deteriorated to the point that their behavior caused its destruction. The same two-letter root, nach, comes up several times in the story of Noach and Hashem’s decision to destroy civilization. It is used to describe Hashem’s "regret" at creating man and the prospect of wiping all flesh off the face of the earth. On the other hand, Noach was different, as he found favor (chen- using the same two letters) in the eyes of Hashem.
While the favor that Noach found in Hashem’s eyes removed him from the decree of destruction that befell the rest of mankind, he was no longer able to carry out the dream of returning the world to the situation of Gan Eden. That would have to wait for a chosen nation to take hold of the Land of Cana’an from the sons of Cham, the corrupt son of Noach. When that nation will act according to its potential for holiness, the words of Yechezkel will be fulfilled that "the desolate land will be cultivated … and it will be like Gan Eden" (36: 34-35).
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.