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Beit Midrash
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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.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.