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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
A nation wandered in a barren land, with hot sand beneath them and a hot sun above, searching for a land to arrive at. They had thrown off their bonds of slavery but were looking for an independent life of freedom. What was leading them, preparing the path for them and warding off their enemies? The ark and the divine clouds. Flashes of fire came out from between the staves of the ark, burning snakes and scorpions; the clouds straightened the path (Devarim Rabba 7:9). The people were drawing closer to entry into the Land.
We find later on (Bamidbar 14 – next parasha) that the people were still excited about the idea of entering the Land. They wanted to go up and enter the Land, willing to sacrifice their lives for the dream of their homeland. Yet, the Amalekites and Canaanites came and destroyed the pioneer group (ibid. 45). Why were they not successful? Since the ark did not go along with them (ibid. 44), what happened was not a surprise.
These days also, the Jewish nation is wandering in the wilderness of the nations, without a clear path, seeking the Land where the cloud will enable them to have a proper encampment. However, they are exposed to different clouds, not those that straighten a path but cast fog over it. There are once again masses of Jews with walking sticks in hand and a questioning look of "to where" in their eyes. The most powerful state in the world has proclaimed war on them, and we would like to stand up and battle them. We proclaim: "We are ready to go up to the Land and sacrifice our lives for it." However, that is a dangerous step, and the question remains whether our fate will be like those who tried to go up to the Land from the desert and were destroyed.
The same guideline should be before us now as then. As long as the ark of the covenant is with us, we should feel confident that we will be brought to a place of rest. Operatively, that means that we must keep our part of the covenant. We have two covenants: the old one stemming from Mt. Sinai and the new one that came with the known declaration [apparently, Balfour]. These days the latter covenant has been publicly renounced [White Paper of 1939]. We must redouble our efforts to reinvigorate the original covenant and have it stand up against the new, abrogated covenant. The covenant at Sinai must stand up for us as we battle the modern Amalekites and Canaanites.
Tragically, we do not see the force that can bring us the salvation we need. We are not carrying the ark of the covenant. The calls to fight do not include the Name of Hashem, and martyrs are mentioned without invoking His Name. Most of us "kick the ark." At times like this, we have a special obligation to influence them. We are used to blaming those who desecrate Shabbat and other commandments and thereby defile the Land. However, we must remember that there are those who carry the ark. We need to know how to carry it before the nation and return it to its proper station. "The ark carries those who carry it."
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.
