YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Tetzave
When we judge – or better, misjudge – others by the color of their kipa, the length of their coat, the type of shirt they wear, etc, we literally lose sight of who is standing in front of us. Because it is actually what we cannot see that really matters most to Hashem.
And yet the Torah certainly does spend a great deal of time talking about clothes, particularly here in Tetzave. So let’s suggest an approach that helps us to better understand why.
Chazal ask, "What is most important ‘one-liner’ in the Torah;" the one most crucial maxim a person should live by?
Three answers are given: Rabbi Akiva says, "Love your friend as you do yourself." Rav Shimon ben Pazi says: "You shall offer one sheep in the morning, and a second sheep in the afternoon." And Ben Azzai says: "This is the book of the generations of Man; on the day that Hashem created Man, He made him in His likeness."
Rav Yochanan Zweig explains the deeper message here: A person needs to develop 3 basic relationships during his lifetime. One is between himself & others, as stated by Rabbi Akiva. Another is that between himself & his creator, as indicated by Rav Shimon, who stresses the need to "offer" oneself to G-d, in practice or in prayer. The third component is the relationship we develop with ourselves, the sense of self-esteem that Ben Azzai points out, reminding ourselves that we are prize creations of Hashem, filled with an amazing potential for greatness.
I suggest that it all starts with this third imperative, comings to grips with our own intrinsic value. If we respect ourselves, then we can also respect others, & we can also approach G-d with confidence & true devotion. When I sense my own holiness, I behave perforce in a G-dly fashion.
Which brings us back to the subject of fashion. The real purpose of clothes is not to impress others, but to impress & remind ourselves who we are: Modest, discreet, faithful, Mitzva-observing soldiers in the service of the Almighty. Our Jewish uniform serves primarily to define us TO US.
And that is a kind of "clothes-mindedness" that truly "suits" us.
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.
