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Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- The Nation of Israel
- Israel and the Nations
The truth is that there is no real reason. This hatred is without reason. Rabbi Shimon Bar - Yochay: said "Halacha, B'yaduh Sh'Eysav Sone L'Yaakov" – It is a know law that Esav hates Jacob (Sifri Bamidbar 79). The words of Rabbi Shimon Bar - Yochay seems puzzling, how can you say "it is a law"? He should have said it's known that Esav hates Jacob. What does it mean "Halacha" – law? Rabbi Menachem Zemba zt"l explains that Rabbi Shimon Bar – Yochay teaches us not to look for a reason. It is a law without a reason. Rabbi Shimon Bar - Yochay was known for always "searching for the meaning of whats written in the Torah", looking for the purpose of all the commandments. However, in this case - don't ask. Don’t look for a reasons and explanations, since there is no point. This is a deep behavior without any known sense.
It is not easy for some nations to admit this hatred. They try to hide it, cover it, ignore its existence or deny it. But it exists. Even if they try to fight it and uproot it, try to prevent it from erupting, they can’t always succeed. Occasionally the nature of Anti-Semitism explodes in a terrible way.
The most dreadful evil outbreak of nations against Israel was not long ago, only sixty years ago, the Holocaust. Many nations were involved in this wickedness, some in a great extent, others gave small help and some nations just stood by and did nothing to save the Jews. Only later, to overcome their moral dissonance, they felt a need to seek atonement for the wickedness and a majority of the United Nations decided to approve the Jewish state in Israel. However, the inherent nature has not changed. The attitude of the nations to Israel is complex. "It is a known law that Esav hates Jacob."
This law teaches us that instead of trying to change this nature we have to learn to live with it. There is no point in trying to escape this reality, because we can’t escape it. This is not only because we can't escape, this law has a role. This fate is not a blind fate, but it has a purpose! We can and should cast this factual content and give it meaning. We should give an uplifting meaning to the people dwelling in solitude, the one and special nation, the nation of G-D and of the Torah. We have to transform this difficult reality to an opportunity to build our nation, until the value of Israel will become clear. Then, in retrospective, we will understand Israel's special fate. –
"And many peoples shall go and say: 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the G-d of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem". (Isaiah B, C).
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
