YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Bo
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.
Peninei Halakha 5. Weddings and Engagements during the Omer Period
Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.