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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Chayei Sara
But it is the middle section of Chaye Sara – the 67-verse 24th chapter - that takes up most of its narrative. Here we are told the story of Avraham sending his servant Eliezer out to find a bride for Yitzchak; Eliezer’s successful quest for just the right girl, one who demonstrates both chesed & chutzpa; & the eventual marriage of Rivka to Yitzchak.
Back in Parshat Lech-Lecha, when Hashem promised great rewards to Avraham, he responded by saying: "What good is all You will give me, v’anochi holech ariri?! (seeing that I go "ariri") & my house steward is Eliezer."
The word "ariri" can mean "without an inheritor" (per Rashi), but I suggest it is also related to the word "arur – cursed;" (you simply have to substitute the Alef for the Ayin, a commonly-used homiletic device).
In other words, Avraham is indicating to Hashem that despite his material success, despite the multitudes of people that he has persuaded to believe in the One G-d – who, as his students, qualify as "his children" – he will consider himself cursed unless he is assured that his biological family will carry on his legacy after he is gone.
Waiting in the wings is Rivka. She is a strong woman, in many ways. She shows her physical strength by carrying a large jug of water – enough for Eliezer & his camels – on her shoulder. And she shows her moral strength when she stands up to her corrupt family & leaves with Eliezer; & later when she courageously rejects her own son Esav in favor of his brother Yakov, who she knows is the rightful heir to the family's spiritual legacy. (In this way, Rivka emulates Avraham, who bravely rejected Eliezer’s desire to have his own daughter marry Yitzchak).
Our Sedra began when Avraham arranged for his dear wife’s kivra, grave. But the letters of "kivra" can be rearranged to spell out "Rivka." For even as Avraham was tending to Sara’s funeral, Hashem was preparing a proper daughter-in-law who would take the reins & carry Am Yisrael forward into the future. Death led to Life.
One of the most controversial topics in the Jewish world today is that of "Who is a Jew?" Many answers to this query have been offered, but I prefer that of Rav Riskin: "A Jew is someone whose grandchildren are Jewish!"
That is the ultimate "Teshuva" to this most crucial question.
The Mitzvah of Settling the Land Land of Israel: G-d-Given Right or Legal Right?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
