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We can illustrate that Yosef’s relationship with Eretz Yisrael played a central role in his life. At first glance, Yosef, viceroy of Egypt, was responsible for his brothers’ leaving Israel and living under his auspices in Egypt. Initially, this was necessary in order to save them from famine. But it seems that after a while, Bnei Yisrael were both physically and spiritually comfortable in Egypt. The pasuk says, "They became entrenched (in Goshen) and were fruitful and multiplied" (Bereishit 47:27). Yosef even attempted to lead a monotheistic revolution in Egypt (see last week’s Hemdat Yamim). The actual slavery started much later when a new king arose in Egypt who did not know Yosef (Shemot 1:8), neither for his contributions to the Egyptian economy nor for his spiritual legacy.
During this comfortable time, it was Yosef, under Yaakov’s guidance, who ensured that the Jews would not forget the land of their heritage. Immediately after the Torah mentions that Yaakov dwelled in Goshen, the Torah tells us that Yaakov, before his death, made Yosef promise not to bury him in Egypt, but only to bury him in Eretz Yisrael. Yaakov was so bothered by the prospect of becoming settled in Egypt that he made Yosef swear not to bury him there in order that his descendants would know that they belong in Israel. Perhaps this is the reason that the Torah, in the context of the period of dwelling in Egypt, repeatedly refers to Yaakov by the name Yisrael and refers to his children as "Bnei Yisrael" (despite the fact that he retained both names). These names are especially highlighted in Yaakov’s blessing to Menashe and Ephraim (Bereishit 48:1-22), sons of the viceroy who grew up in Egypt, who symbolized comfort in Egypt.
This also explains why Bereishit, the chumash of Eretz Yisrael, ends with the oath that Yosef administered to Bnei Yisrael that they should take his bones to the Land of the Jewish people (Bereishit 50:25-26). Yosef was not buried in Egypt; he waited in his coffin until he was buried in Israel. This is also why the sefer, Yehoshua, known for delineating Eretz Yisrael (Nedarim 22b), ends with the story of Yosef’s burial in his land- the Land of Israel. "Yosef’s bones, which Bnei Yisrael brought forth with them from Egypt were buried in Shechem, in the plot of the field that Yaakov bought" (Yehoshua 24:32). Specifically in these times, let us remember the special connection between Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael.
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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.