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.
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
