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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
Material success ("Y’varech’cha");
Protection of our assets ("Yishm’recha");
Wisdom & insight ("Ya’er");
Likeability ("Viy’chuneka")
Peace ("Shalom").
Three quite unusual things to note about this Bracha (an ancient rendition of which is the centerpiece of the Dead Sea scrolls at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem):
1) The phrase, "G-d will lift His face unto you" is puzzling. Does Hashem have a face? But the image seems clear: When we act in a way that is shameful, we tend to lower our gaze so as not to look directly at others. But when we live up to that which is expected from us, we can stand tall & look the next person right in the eye. Doing the right thing results in G-d loving & being proud of us, & His gaze of approval makes us proud of ourselves.
2) While the Torah simply commands the Kohanim, "So shall you bless Bnei Yisrael," the word, "b’ahava – with love" is added to the end of the bracha the Kohanim make before they duchen. Where does this come from? I suggest the Rabbis wanted to convey the message to the Kohanim, our original "spiritual leaders," that coercion, preaching, legislation & rebuke are all inferior methods of elevating the nation. Blessing others, as long as it is with love, is the best way to connect to the hearts of others.
3) As the Kohanim deliver their blessing, the Chazan (unless he is also a Kohen & recites the bracha himself) prompts the Kohanim by saying aloud each word of the blessing, which the Kohanim then repeat. Why? The practical reason is that since the Kohanim must elevate their hands when they deliver the bracha, they cannot hold a siddur to read. So, to make sure they don’t forget a single word, the Chazan quietly prompts them.
But another beautiful idea is that, by saying the words of the bracha first, the Chazan – as representative of the whole congregation – is himself blessing the Kohanim, thus creating a circle of love that envelops everyone!
In other words, all you need is love; love is all you need.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
