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Yakov Ben Behora
It is in this week's parshah that Amalek makes his debut onto the world scene, and as the anti-thesis of the Jewish people. In fact, his attitude and attack are so eternally offensive that God Himself took an oath to be at war with Amalek until his demise at the end of days.
However, though most people think of this as war in the desert, outside and away from Eretz Yisroel, in truth, it was a war ABOUT Eretz Yisroel.
The Gaon from Vilna explained why:
The war against Amalek is in every generation, and against... Amalek of the heart, that is, the evil inclination, and the spirit of Amalek-the adversary of Israel... This is Samael and his hosts, whose main power is in the gates of Jerusalem when its lands are desolate…The strength and rulership of Amalek's spirit is in the gates of Jerusalem, as mentioned above, but only when there is destruction and desolation near the gates and in the unwalled areas of Jerusalem... This delays the connection between the Jerusalem of below and Jerusalem of above... The war against the desolation is waged not only by setting up tents of Ya'akov and dwelling places of Israel in their respective places, but also by planting its land and fulfilling the commandments dependent on it. (Kol HaTor, Chapter 7)
Thus, Amalek uprooted himself to wage war against the Jewish people in the desert to keep them there, that is, to prevent them from coming to Eretz Yisroel, settling the land, and developing it. The unification of the Jewish people with the land promised to their ancestors has the direct effect of increasing holiness in the world, and eliminating evil. To survive, Amalek had to stop that process in its tracks; he has continued to do so over the generations until this very day.
According to the Shem M'Shmuel, Balak and Bilaam, when they tried to curse the Jewish people, had attempted the same goal for the same reason as Amalek, (Shem M'Shmuel, Balak). Thus, it is not surprising to learn that, according to the Zohar, the combination of their two names produces two words: Amalek, and Bavel (Babylonia, in English)-the location of the first Jewish exile from Eretz Yisroel.
Like Amalek, their spiritual ancestor, Balak and Bilaam had understoodthat the Jewish people moving into Eretz Yisroel had the power to bring history and evil to their respective ends. Thus, for them, like Amalek, their survival depended upon keeping the Jewish people in exile.
And thus now, after thousands of years of exile, during which Eretz Yisroel had remained desolate and almost uninhabitable, we have to ask the question, who's keeping us out now? As we witness the re-building and re-populating of the land of Tanach, we have to honestly ask ourselves, against whom is the real battle today, if not Amalek-on whatever front he is waging it?
To return home to Eretz Yisroel and to end her desolation-physical and spiritual-is to win the war against Amalek. To fulfill the mitzvos dependent upon the Land is to push the spirit of impurity from her borders, and eventually, from the world itself. The war against Amalek first began in the desert in Moshe Rabbeinu's time. Let it end, once and for all, in ours.
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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.