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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Miketz
The midrash says that in contrast, G-d is upon righteous people, as the pasuk says: "Hashem was standing upon him" (Bereishit 28:13). The goal of Yaakov’s life-long service was not to receive but to give. His work was to reach a purer and cleaner way of life, more honesty, and more serving without intention to receive reward. "Mitzvot are not given for benefit" (Eruvin 31a). They are not there to give taste or to make a person feel good about what he is but to minimize his own existence and become one with Hashem. As the Alter Rebbe from Ladi said: "I do not want the lower Gan Eden or the higher Gan Eden; I only want You." Certainly, not everyone reaches that level or can spend all day with such lofty thoughts. But this is the overall goal.
When the all-powerful Pharaoh, who divided attributed powers between himself and the Nile, dreamt, he could dream only about himself along with the gods. That is why Egyptians attributed self-interest to their gods, as the gods were created in the image of man. That is also why no one thought of the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams. While it seems simple that the wheat stalks were a reference to food or famine for the nation, it would not dawn on an Egyptian that Pharaoh was dreaming about someone else. He must be thinking about something personal (seven daughters) or something for his honor (seven cities).
Yosef added something new to Pharaoh’s dream, which we find when Pharaoh reported the dream to Yosef: Pharaoh is standing on the bank of the Nile (Bereishit 41:17). Yosef taught Pharaoh: "that which Hashem is doing, He told Pharaoh" (ibid. 25). Pharaoh should do what G-d does, i.e., he should give to others, not just receive from them. From that point on, the dream is simple; it refers to plenty and famine.
The interpreter was Yosef, the leader, the one who was suspected wrongly by his brothers. He did not dream of being a leader of the type that wanted to receive, but rather "to give sustenance, Hashem sent me before you" (ibid. 45:5). That is why Yosef did not abuse his power and used it to find a special place for his father’s household – a place where even in the impure Egypt, a yeshiva could exist.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
