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I suggest that there is something very important hidden in the story of Yosef. I believe that Yosef’s personal saga and journey through life is actually the "roadmap" for the entire history of our exile and our redemption! That is, whatever happens to Yosef during his lifetime exactly parallels what happens in the national life of Am Yisrael!
Let us consider:
- Yosef is the "favorite son" of Yakov, just as we are the chosen, favorite, first-born of Hashem.
- Yosef innately understands that he is an elite leader, before whom others will come to bow; this subconscious knowledge emerges in his dreams. But Yosef is also tentative, unsure, and at times overly boastful of this role – all stages which we, too, go through as a nation.
- Yosef fights with his brothers. Clearly, intra-Jewish bickering has plagued our whole history, even so far as creating whole "movements" within Judaism that fiercely battle one another.
- Yosef must go into exile – just as we were forced to do – but there he learns to do chesed (as when he reaches out to the butler and baker) and eventually will rise to great prominence, becoming a blessing to the whole world, which he feeds as the "mashbir." Similarly, we became illustrious in the exile, proving to be a blessing for every country in which we lived, helping their economies, their education, winning Nobel prizes and sharing our wisdom with the rulers there, from sultans to kings to presidents.
Eventually, Yosef understands that he must be a unifier, that he must reconcile with his brothers and bring the family together. This he does by bridging the generation gap and assembling his entire family, from Yakov to Efraim. At the same time, Yosef realizes that Egypt – the exile, the Diaspora - cannot be the ultimate meeting-place for Am Yisrael. Jewish life ultimately cannot, will not flourish in the barren soil of galut; only Israel can fulfill that need. So he makes his family swear they will return to Eretz Yisrael, taking the "bones" of past generations with them.
We, too, are finally coming to a rapprochement with our brothers, and it is occurring in Israel, as Jews from all over the world gather here to define and develop their Jewish souls. We carry the "bones" and ashes of the past, and we bring them to life here. Yosef, the favorite son, lives again.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
