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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Vayikra
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
Vayikra starts by describing the korban olah (burnt offering). While one who requires one can be pressured to bring the korban, it ultimately must come "willingly." This is derived (Bava Batra 48a) from the word "lirtzono" (Vayikra 1:3) which one translation renders as "voluntarily," based on the gemara’s phrase, "rotzeh ani" (I want). However, this is linguistically difficult, because throughout Chumash (as opposed to Chazal and parts of Nach), "ratzon" means to be accepted favorably ("chafetz" means to want). (If scanning a concordance does not convince you, see Ha’amek Davar, ad loc.). So how did Chazal know that "lirtzono" indicates agreeing to the korban, when the simple meaning is that the korban is accepted favorably?
The answer may simply be that Chazal understood that there is no way that Hashem will accept a korban favorably if there is no human desire or interest in the korban serving its purpose. So if it is lirtzono, the person could not have been totally coerced to bring it. Different levels of interest are needed to fulfill different mitzvot. All agree that if one is forced to repay a loan (which is a mitzva) he fulfills the mitzva (on the basic level) and need not pay again. If one is forced to eat matzah on Pesach, he fulfills his mitzva only according to the opinion that "mitzvot einan tzrichot kavana" (Rosh Hashana 28a). But to have a korban brought without any element of spiritual involvement whatsoever cannot bring any spiritual gain that can be described as lirtzono (see Shmuel I, 15:22).
If this is true, then we can see how the different meanings of "ratzon" relate to each other. When Hashem accepts a korban favorably, it is by virtue of the fact that the korban has served as a medium of bringing a feeling of closeness and desire for further interaction between Him and the person who brings the korban. Hashem "feels" the person’s desire to draw close and reciprocates in the appropriate, Divine manner. When someone desires something (the common use of "rotzeh") he wants the thing to be connected to him. Of course, we can use the phrase on the most mundane level, describing the least significant connections, like that between a baby and a piece of candy. But man has the ability, the opportunity, and the responsibility to use his ratzon to seek out Hashem and create a mature, passionate, and lasting relationship with Him. What is certain is that to the extent that he is sincere, his overtures will be reciprocated "b’ratzon."
Creating this connection is not be done all at once or independently, but is developed through the right, enthusiastic approach toward performing mitzvot. Maybe this is the intention of Avot 2:4, "Aseh r’tzoncha kirtzono k’dei sheyeaseh r’tztoncha kirtzono." When you do what Hashem desires (mitzvot) like your own desires, you will develop the favorable outlook towards Him that He is prepared to have towards you.
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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.
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.