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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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- 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.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
