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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
The midrash (Midrash Aggada, Vayeira 18) explains the importance of Hashem’s notification to Avraham. It relates to Hashem the following sentiment: "I gave this whole Land to Avraham, and now I want to destroy five of its cities due to their sins. If I do not tell him, he will be able to say that I backed out of My commitment." The midrash does not tell us what lesson we learn from this conversation or what the connection is to the description of Avraham’s educational legacy. We will try to do this through other passages in Chazal.
At the end of Sefer Shmuel, the navi deals with a difficult episode in the life of David. A strong famine was afflicting the Land after the death of Shaul; David became aware that it was due to the mistreatment by King Shaul of the Givonim, who were not part of the Israelite nation. David approached them with an inquiry as to what could be done to appease them so that they would pray for the welfare of society. Their frightening request was to have seven of Shaul’s descendants given to them to be killed and displayed publicly (Shmuel II, 21: 2-6). Only harsh revenge and not some other form of compensation or appeasement sufficed for them. While David was compelled to accept these demands, the episode brought him to a decision that impacted on all generations. The Givonim would not be allowed to marry into general Jewish society, even though they underwent the conversion process (see Shulchan Aruch, Even Haezer 4:2). The gemara (Yevamot 79a) explains David’s rationale, which seems strange considering that Hashem supported their right to make the demand that they did. The Jewish people have three qualities: the people are merciful (rachamanim), bashful, and do acts of kindness (the pasuk brought as evidence is the above pasuk about Avraham). Those who do not share such qualities are not fit to join. Rashi (ad loc.) explains that the Givonim had shown that they were not merciful.
Rashi teaches us that rachamim is not just to feel bad for the weak and oppressed. Rachamim applies to forgiving those who harmed them and deserve punishment yet ask to be given the opportunity to appease their victims and be forgiven. Avraham, on the other hand, was the clear contrast. He tried to save the evil people of S’dom and succeeded in saving Lot, his nephew who had upset him. He internalized the message of forgiveness, whether it be of family members with whom one quarreled or another who harmed him. That is why Hashem’s beloved Avraham was the father of the nation of merciful, bashful doers of kindness.
May this national quality find increasingly active expression in our present-day Israeli society.
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.
