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Beit Midrash
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1. Physical building of the city. Yeshayau goes into elaborate detail as to which valuable and impressive stones will be used to rebuild the city’s walls, gates and even floors (Is 44:11-12). This expresses the idea that the city will not merely be rebuilt functionally with houses, walls and public buildings, but it will look imposing and will well represent the stature of the people. So much so that when Rabbi Yochanan describes these great stones, his student finds it hard to believe (with disastrous results - Bava Batra 75). However, physical structures alone are just empty shells, so the prophet continues with his description.
2. The society. The inhabitants of the city and the society they form are crucial components of rebuilding the city. In the song Lecha dodi we sing "Wear your clothes of splendor, my nation" – from which it can be understood that "my nation", the people are the clothes of splendor of Jerusalem. Without them, Jerusalem is bare and incomplete. When society broke down, it precipitated the destruction. In order to correct that society has to be appropriately rebuilt. Yeshayahu lists two main factors (Is 44:13-14): (a) Torah learning by the masses – "And all your sons will be students of Hashem"` (b) Social justice "Distance yourself from oppressing others".
3. Protection from enemies. When a person gives a gift, or builds something he has no responsibility for preventing damage in the future and can give no guarantees (as Rashi comments on Birkat kohanim – ד"ה וישמרך). Hashem on the other hand, promises to rebuild Jerusalem physically, set up a just, Torah-based society – and He ensures that it will not be overrun by enemies: "Any utensil created against you will be unsuccessful" (Is 44:17). Yet there is still one more stage to the prophecy.
4. The Davidic dynasty. An integral part of rebuilding Jerusalem is reinstituting Jewish, Torah-based leadership for the nation. This is not a separate prophecy or a different topic. It is the ultimate fulfillment of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Even with the proper society living safely in walls of the city, Jerusalem is incomplete until we have fitting leadership! In fact (as Rav Moshe Aberman pointed out in a shiur on MTA 1995), we say this every day in the blessing for Jerusalem:" ולירושלים עירך ברחמים תשוב...ובנה אותה...וכסא דוד (עבדך) מהרה לתוכה תכין – And to Jerusalem your city, return…And restore (your servant) David’s chair to her speedily." Even though the very next blessing is dedicated entirely to the Davidic dynasty, Chazal saw it fit to include it also in the blessing for Jerusalem, as the culmination of the process of rebuilding Jerusalem!
May we merit speedily in our days the full rebuilding of Jerusalem with all its components: physical, societal, safety and leadership!
Rabbi Hillel Maizels
The Rabbi of Kehillat Ohel Efraim in the city of Ariel of "Bet Shalom" Shul in the Ariel University.
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Kibutz Galuyot and Self Hatred
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 2
The Seven Weeks of Condolence God's Punishment and Comfort are our Support
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 4
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Does G-d Care About Us
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 5
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Rebuilding Jerusalem
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 3
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Does G-d Care About Us
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 5
The Seven Weeks of Condolence Hester Panim, Exile and Redeption
Shiv'a de-Nechemta: The Philosophy of Comfort and Redemption - 6
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
