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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Rashi opens his commentary on the Torah with the question: The verse, "Hachodesh hazeh lachem," is the first commandment given to Israel. Why, then, does the Torah begin with the story of Creation? Answers Rashi: "For should the people of the world say to Israel, ‘You are robbers, for you took by force the land of the seven nations of Canaan,’ Israel may reply to them, ‘All the earth belongs to the Holy One, Blessed Be He; He created it and gave it to whom He pleased.’"
At first glance, it would appear that Rashi fails to answer his basic question. If the purpose of the Torah is to teach us mitzvot, the story of Creation should not have preceded the first mitzvah. It could have been told in a separate book, like the book of Yehoshua.
The Torah is comprised of taryag mitzvot, 613 commandments. Ramban in his enumeration of the taryag counts yishuv Eretz Yisrael - conquering and settling Eretz Yisrael - as one of the 613 mitzvot. Rambam does not include this mitzvah in his count. Yet Rambam codifies all the laws pertaining to yishuv Eretz Yisrael like all the other halakhic authorities. The reason may very well be that Rambam does not consider yishuv Eretz Yisrael as a separate mitzvah, like the mitzvah of sukkah or shofar. Yishuv Eretz Yisrael is, however, the foundation for all the other mitzvot. Without Eretz Yisrael we cannot fulfill all the taryag mitzvot.
This may be what Rashi is telling us. Before the Torah teaches us the first mitzvah, it assures us that Eretz Yisrael belongs to us. Now that we are in possession of our God given country, we are in a position to proceed and obey all 613 commandments.
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.
