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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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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.
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.
