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During a long period of time, Bnei Yisrael were enslaved by the Egyptians in a cruel manner. As these slaves emerged from the crucible, they had to undergo a change of mentality. The need to make decisions having to do with priorities and goals, planning and execution, are not part of a slave’s spiritual or intellectual life. He never will have to contemplate the impact his decisions will have on society. Slave’s lives are focused on carrying out the technical instructions of their owners and task masters. Where there are slaves, society will also not usually concern itself with questions as to how their decisions will impact the lives of the slaves. Slaves are viewed as no more than machines to create desired results for their masters.
The project to collect materials for the building of the Mishkan and the planning of its erection created a revolution in the spiritual and societal mindset of the nation of ex-slaves. The call to donate, which included an obligation of everyone to donate something, showed that everyone has to have a societal/national value system. They learned that for the nation to succeed in its calling, everyone would have to give at least something.
The bringing of sacrifices is not, Heaven forbid, a matter of satisfying some type of divine appetite. Hashem certainly does not need the animals placed on the altar for Himself. The significance of the laws of set sacrifices is that Bnei Yisrael has a spiritual center with an orderly mode of operation. There is a nation, and there is a way in which the nation acts, demonstrating that we are not just an accumulation of individuals.
There is another element to korbanot that is focused more on the individual, and that is the element of accountability for one’s action. When a nation has rules of accountability for sins and mistakes, it is a sign of an organized nation, rather than a random group of wild ex-slaves. Being a free person allows one the freedom and the right to choose. Along with that right comes the responsibility to pay for mistakes, even unintentional ones.
Let us stress again that part of the national element of the Mishkan finds expression in that it was not a project that could fall on an individual or a group. It was always the responsibility of the king or the representatives of the people. This communal element is an aspect of the Mishkan and its operation that was an ideal even according to the opinions that it was erected as part of the struggle against idol worship.
Let us pray for the rebuilding of the Mikdash on the holy mountain, which shall serve as the base for the Divine Presence to rest on the holy nation, living a spiritual and idealistic life in the Holy Land, Eretz Yisrael.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
