YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Chayei Sara
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Amram son of Sultana
This scenario reminds us of a different one in Tanach, but one which ended in a very different manner. Yehoshafat, King of Yehuda also gave presents (matanot) to his sons in order to appease them and ensure that his eldest son, Yehoram, would rule after him (Divrei Hayamim II, 21:3). The aftermath of that arrangement was a very bitter one. "Yehoram was established on his father's kingdom, he strengthened his position, and he killed all of his brothers" (ibid.: 4).
Are there any signs that show us what went wrong in Yehoshafat's plan? The p'sukim go on to tell about Yehoram's background. "He went in the way of the Kings of Israel, as the House of Achav did, for he took the daughter of Achav as a wife... and he caused the inhabitants of Yerushalayim and Yehuda to sin" (ibid.: 6-11). The problem did not begin with Yehoram, as his forbears, Assa and Yehoshafat, the Kings of Yehuda, were involved in intermingling with the corrupt offspring of C'na'an, by marriage with princesses of Sidon.
It is now clear what the difference is between the two cases. Avraham married Ketura and became the patriarch of more nations in order to promulgate the belief in monotheism to the fullest extent possible. On the other hand, he distanced these other nations from the Holy Land, which was promised to the children of Yitzchak and Ya'akov, in order that the Chosen Nation would not be threatened by assimilation with their cousins. However, the aforementioned Kings of Yehuda married women who helped fill the Holy Land with the idolatry of Ba'al. This lack of care in choosing proper mates for the kings of Yehuda almost brought about the extinction of the House of David. As Chazal tell us: "Once Assa took the daughter of Omri as a wife for Yehoshafat, a decree was made on the House of David that it should perish along with the House of Achav (Omri's son)" (Seder Olam Rabba 17; Tosefta, Sota 12:3).
Let us all pray that we merit success in the war against assimilation, and that, along with it, we will see the restoration of the House of David to its proper glory.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.