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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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- Va'era
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
According to Midrash Rabbah, when Moshe agreed to go to Pharaoh, he understood that the redemption of the Jewish slaves was imminent: Moshe would present God's demand for emancipation and the slaves would summarily be released. Were Pharaoh to refuse, Moshe expected God to immediately unleash the plagues, one after another, and bring Pharaoh to his knees. When this didn't happen, Moshe complained to God about Jewish suffering and questioned his own role as God’s messenger. In reply, God assured Moshe that the realization of the stated goal, i.e. redemption, would take place, but not with the immediacy that Moshe had envisioned. What was important was not to lose sight of the grand vision that God had promised to our forefathers--the emergence of a unique nation and its settlement in Eretz Yisrael.
Throughout the ages, Jews never lost sight of the ultimate reality of "Am Yisrael Be-Eretz Yisrael." No day passed without multiple mentioning of Jerusalem and "the land." The historic restoration of Zion was destined to be gradual rather than instantaneous.
This classic model found expression when Jews returned to Eretz Yisrael under the leadership of Ezra and Nechemiah to rebuild the Second Temple. They contended daily with severe challenges, starting with the painful fact that the majority of Jews at that time chose to remain in the Babylonian exile. But the promise to our forefathers was ever present in the consciousness of Ezra and Nechemiah, and the emergence of the glorious Second Commonwealth is testimony to their faith and commitment.
In modern times we witness the return of our people to the land which expresses itself in a steady march of new immigrants. At the same time we strive to inspire those who have not as yet made aliya and must still internalize the words of Parashat Va'eira, "And I will bring you unto the land concerning which I did swear to give to Avraham, Yitzchak and to Yaacov." May this come about speedily in our lifetime!
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This is a weekly column contributed by Aloh Naaleh an organization devoted to motivating Jews to make Aliya.
Aloh Na'aleh
POB 4337, Jerusalem 91042
Tel: 972-2-566-1181 ext. 320 ~ Fax: 972-2-566-1186
Email: [email protected]
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part II
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
Parashat Hashavua Happiness for the Right Reasons
[With painful longing, we share these divrei Torah from our co-Rosh Kollel for close to 40 years, Harav Moshe Ehrenreich zt”l.]
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
