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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
Fair enough, I guess. But the problem is, Yitzchak did not die at this point in time! In fact, he died 12 years later, AFTER Yosef was sold into slavery! So why is his death not recorded at that point?
Rashi duly notes that the events are out of sync, and derives from here the principle that "there is no strict chronological order in the Torah." Fine and well; but still we can ask: Why is the death specificaly mentioned here? The Ramban suggests that Yitzchak’s death should actually have been reported the moment that Yakov took center-stage - since at that point Yitzchak retreats into the shadows - but the Torah writes it here in order to tell us that Yakov & Esav ultimately reconciled, & honored their father by conducting his burial together.
But Rashi? He gives no explanation at all.
Fast-forward to next week’s sedra. Yosef is sold by his brothers, and father Yakov grieves inconsolably. Rashi points out (37:33) that not only was Yitzchak alive, but he knew that Yosef was not dead, yet he did not tell Yakov! Why not?! Imagine all the anguish he could have saved him!
I believe we can solve both of the above problems at once. I suggest that Yitzchak’s passing is recorded here, before the saga of Yosef’s kidnapping & sale begins, as a way of saying that Yitzchak – though he was certainly the "elder statesman" of the family - had decided that he would not intervene in the sordid squabbling of his grandchildren, that he would remain, in a sense, as silent as a corpse.
Yitzchak was fully aware of the internal strife between the brothers, and no doubt it pained him tremendously, but he had decided that sometimes, events have to play out on their own, and families must learn the hard way how to act and get along with one another. Had Yitzchak "pulled rank" and intervened, he might indeed have imposed some temporary truce on the boys. But that would not have taught us the eternal lesson that Yosef’s ordeal - which led to the Egyptian experience and ultimately our redemption – was finally able to teach us: That a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Anyone who has children can surely relate to Yitzchak’s predicament. Should we always "bail out" our kids, or is there a point where we allow them to make their own decisions? Do we continually save them from poor choices, or do we sometimes hold back and enroll them in the "school of hard knocks," where they can earn the experiences that will last them a lifetime?
Yitzchak made himself "dead" so that his offspring would gain a virtue that would help make us immortal, the virtue of Unity. True, we would pay an enormous price for it. But - as is usually the case - you get what you pay for.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
