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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
(Thus the classic trivia question: What one Mitzva in the Torah cannot ever be done with kavana, intent!).
From here we see that even if one performs a good act unwittingly, without his knowledge, Hashem counts this in our "plus column," because He assumes that, deep down, we always have the intention of doing chesed, whether we manage to exercise that intent or not. So G-d is, as it were, dan l’kaf z’chut, assuming the best about us – a good lesson for us to apply during the month of Elul.
But I see another important lesson in the concept of shich’cha. The ability to forget – something we associate with growing old, or the illness of dementia, chas v’shalom - does not always have to be a bad thing. What a wonderful gift it would be if we could manage to forget the petty indiscretions that might have been done to us over the years, the flippant remarks sent our way, or the occasional snub – real or perceived – that caused us to separate from our fellow Jew, or defame him in return.
What if – like the farmer in our sedra – we could just turn our back on those things & walk away, without a second thought? And if, later, they did come to mind, we could shrug our shoulders & say, "What’s done is done; I’ve moved on to a new row, a new & better place."
That, in a sense, is the essence of Teshuva, not so much returning as turning, starting in a different direction.
Yet fittingly, our Sedra ends by reminding us that there are certain things which we should not, must not forget. The last of the parsha’s mitzvot – indeed, the literal "last words" of the sedra – command us to remember & never forget - Zachor, lo tishkach - the evil that Amalek perpetrated upon us when we left Egypt, & throughout our history. As quick as we must be to forget the hurtful things done to us by our fellow Jews, that is how steadfast & vigilant we must be to stay acutely aware of our true enemies & the real danger which they represent to our holy way of life.
There is a fine, but crucial line, between being a forgiver and a freier. Let’s be sure not to cross it.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
