YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
The Torah study is dedicatedto the full recovery of
Ruchama Lea daugther of Chaya Hinda
At the age of three, Abraham came to the conclusion that the world has a creator, smashed his father's idols, and was saved from the fiery furnace in Ur Casdim. He threw himself into the fire in sanctification of God’s name. When he was miraculously saved from death, he began to "make souls," i.e., gather a following which he would teach that the world has a creator.
Abraham took in guests, and when they thanked him, he told them that the world has a Master, and that there is no need to thank him. Via the duties between man and his fellow man, he brought them to an awareness of the duties between man and God, and, later, to the obligation of ransoming captives when he saved Lot. Positive action, though, is not enough; one must also fight evil. Abraham fought against, among other things, the worship of the fire-god Molekh which involved child sacrifice. This was idolatry which also embodied the transgression of both the duties between man and his fellow man and those between man and God.
We can just imagine what was going through Abraham’s mind during those three days on which he journeyed to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Upon descending from the mountain, he would have to relate to everybody that he sacrificed his son as a burnt-offering to God. Would not this call into question all of his success in his fight against the worshippers of Molekh in the name of "thou shall not kill"?
This was a very difficult trial, calling his entire life-long struggle into question.
Yet, all the same, "The two of them walked together." Abraham binds and ties Isaac in order not to damage his innocence. He controls himself carefully and exactly.
Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, one of the leaders of Chassidic movement, asked the following question: We blow on a ram’s horn on the Day of Judgment in order to awaken the merit of the act of the binding of Isaac. If this is the goal, why do we blow on the ram’s horn which recalls the fact that Isaac was not sacrificed? It would be more appropriate to hold up a slaughtering knife and proclaim that with a similar knife was Abraham ready to sacrifice his son.
The answer is that the blowing of the ram’s horn recalls the words of the Almighty, "Do not harm the lad, and do not do a thing to him." We "remind" the Almighty that, in the end, He was opposed to human sacrifices; we too, today, anticipate the fulfillment of the eternal promise, "Do not harm the lad."
We too, at this time, say, "Enough!" to the evil adversary of death - we pray and request of the Almighty that the sacrifices cease and that we merit a speedy and complete redemption.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
