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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Purim & The Month of Adar
- The Essence of Purim
Maran Harav zt"l – Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Kook, wrote short sentences that highlight the deep meaning of each month of the year. For the month of Adar he wrote: "Those who recall the surrounded (cities) from the days of Joshua, cannot remain slaves of Ahasuerus." When we look at the depth of this sentence, we find that a great lesson of faith and trust in the continued existence of the nation, even in difficult times when we don't see signs of the strength of the nation.
At the time of Joshua, the problem was the weakness of the spies who complained and said: "Howbeit! the people that dwell in the land are fierce, and the cities are fortified, and very great." This sentence denied the ability of Israel to battle against seven nations sitting in the cities and castles. As a response, Caleb and Joshua and stood up and elevated the spirit of the people saying: "We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." Although there are enemies in walled cities and giants, if we try we can win the war and we can overcome them.
When we are happy on Purim for the miracles we had in the past, and "recall surrounded from the days of Joshua", we remember the great spirit of Joshua and Caleb, who stood in front of all the difficulties and defeated the fortified towns protected by a wall. This joy has tremendous power; it gives us the spirit of faith and heroism.
Just like those days, when the situation was difficult on a rational level, and yet our people did not lose hope and faith in G-d's supervision, so we tell ourselves in these difficult times: "For the Lord will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance" (Ps 94, 14). Am Yisrael is a nation of eternity! We passed through the most difficult situations in the past, and with G-d's help we will overcome hard situations we have these days. The main thing is to draw courage and confidence from Purim for future challenges.
Hopefully, we will soon see G-d's salvation of his people and his inheritance, and our people will wake up again to reconnect to the Divine source of life, which is the only source for happiness and joy, as in the days of Mordechai and Esther.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts