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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
The Talmud in Tractate Z'vahim brings a few opinions of the sages: Rabbi Yehoshua says Yitro heard about the war with Amalek, Rabbi Eleazar ha-Moda'i says he heard about Matan Torah and Rabbi Eliezer says he heard the splitting of the Red sea. Why does the Torah have to tell us that Yitro heard something before he came, the reason of family unity (to return Moses wife and children to him) should be enough! If there is something special about hearing what does each of the rabbis add?
When a person sees or hears about a big event, an event of great spiritual significance, he should be affected. A normal person should not remain indifferent to formative events. The Torah teaches us that the union of Moses' family is important, and Yitro does bring Moses' wife and two sons with him, but he also has another motive. Yitro is not indifferent to reality, especially to revelations of the Divine Presence (Shekhina). Each one of the sages highlights a different aspect of revelation of the Shekhina, each of which aspect should affect all those who hear about what happened.
a) Matan Torah was an event where God was revealed in the world. It was "above" nature, the universe stood silent to an appearance of the holy Torah, but the event was "above" nature, the laws of nature didn't change. Although this event was elevated from ordinary reality and therefore also a bit detached from it, because of the greatness of Matan Torah you just can't remain indifferent.
b) Splitting the Red Sea was an absolute miracle, a complete change of nature. No new Torah was given, but the great miracle gave a high spiritual level to all who saw or heard of it. This was a miracle in nature.
c) The war against Amalek involved no large miracle, no new Torah was given, it was war! What was special was the way the people of Israel fought it, when Moses prayed and held up his hands, the people looked up to heaven and won. This war is an example of a case in which nature itself is part of the miracle.
Each one of the sages highlights another dimension of revelation of Shekhina in the world - Shekhina over nature, changing nature and blending with nature. We should look at these three dimensions, recognize them and not remain indifferent to their appearance.
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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.
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.
