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Beit Midrash
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The first pasuk of the Torah also alludes in a subtle manner to water. "In the beginning, Hashem created the shamayim (heavens) and the earth." Chazal pick up on the similarity between shamayim and mayim and say: "What does shamayim mean? Sham mayim (water is there)" (Chagiga 12a). Thus the first object in the Torah hints at the importance of water.
The next pasuk, which is difficult to put in proper context, discusses water explicitly: "The earth was in a state of void, and there was darkness on the face of the wellsprings, and the spirit of Hashem hovered over the water." The first half of the second pasuk expounds on the second part of the first pasuk (earth and its void) and the second half of the second pasuk expounds on the first part of the first pasuk (heavens, water, and the spirit of Hashem), using the style of A-B-B-A. According to this, Hashem created the heavens, in which the spirit of Hashem hovered over its water. We know of the existence of mayim in the heavens from a subsequent pasuk regarding the second day of creation, where the rakia (firmament) separated between the mayim above the rakia and the mayim beneath it.
Within the account of the flood, the word "earth" comes up at least nine times, along with several but fewer mentions of the heavens, water, and spirit. This overlapping of words, along with a mention of seven days (leading up to the flood), shows the connection between creation and the flood. However, the main focus in the flood is on the earth. The water that destroys the earth is not the mayim of the heavens, which is above the clouds. Actually the main destruction came from the water of the wellsprings.
The lesson from all the above is as follows. The earth refers to the physical world. The heavens refer to the spiritual world and its waters hint at the Torah, the spiritual blueprint of the world. Hashem created the heavens and the earth so that the earth would be a base for the world of spirituality as well. The proper desire to reach for the heavens (the people of Babel reached for the heavens in a distorted way) is a desire to taste of the waters of Torah. The generation of the flood strove to reach the depths of the earth’s water, i.e., the most spirituality bereft physicality. It is no surprise then that the water of the depths covered them up and killed them.
Let us hope that we will be inspired to follow the lead of the illustrious descendant of the survivors of the flood, Avraham, who trained his family to follow, not fight, the ways of Hashem.
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.
