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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
Most fascinating is the blessing Yakov gives to his grandchildren Efraim and Menashe. They become the paradigm for all future parents, who will bless their boys to "be like Efraim and Menashe." Why davka are these two singled out, among his many grandchildren?
Many answers are given, from the fact that these boys remained faithful even while cut off from their extended family, to the idea that they, alone, had a relationship with their grandfather (as opposed to Avraham and Yakov, or Yitzchak and the 12 Tribes).
But why does Efraim the younger achieve prominence over Menashe the elder? Is it to re-emphasize the point that merit, rather than pedigree, is ultimately the essential yardstick of excellence? (The merit being that Efraim’s descendants, namely Yehoshua, will be greater than those of Menashe).
I suggest there is another possibility. Look at the names of these two young men. Menashe’s name means: "Ki nishanee Elokim….et kal bait avi; G-d has allowed me to forget all that was my father’s house." Menashe represents the desire to separate from the past, to forget about where we come from and zealously embrace a brave new world. Like the Jews who left the "old country" and felt that Jewish traditions were passé and irrelevant in a more modern setting, Menashe symbolizes the well-known syndrome of trying to become "more
American than the Americans."
Efraim’s name means, "Hifranee Elokim b’eretz anyee; G-d has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Efraim – though he was the younger son – represents the maturity that comes from understanding that "new" is not always synonymous with "better," that the glitz and glitter of Egypt - like so many stops along the way in our long trek through the Diaspora - masked an oppressive, degrading culture. Efraim may not be older than his brother, but he may very well be wiser.
In the end, Yakov uses the singular "b’cha" rather than the plural, "ba-chem" to refer to the boys. Because, in a sense, each one of us, at some point, goes through this process of questioning our traditions and our time-honored values. Each of us must choose between the lure of flashy, trashy "Egypt" and the holiness of Israel.
Hopefully – like Yakov and Yosef – we will also make the right choice.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.