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Beit Midrash
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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.
Parashat Hashavua The Content of Kingliness and Servitude
Based on Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Shirat Hageula pp. 22-25
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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.
