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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Three Weeks
- The 17th of Tamuz
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
Yet, perhaps it would be better during times of joy, in the midst of our elation, to pause for a moment, to stop our dancing for a short time, to reflect, and to ask ourselves what we are so happy about.
Jewish celebration is mixed with sorrow. It is not a mere release; it is rational and profound celebration. Depravity and frivolity do not reflect true joy and heartfelt thanks. In the same manner that we need air to breathe, we also need to set aside a number of days a year for serious reflection and gravity, days of introspection and preparation for what lies ahead.
Let us briefly consider the Seventeenth of Tammuz. Have the walls of Jerusalem which were breached on this day been rebuilt? True, as Zechariah the Prophet says, "Jerusalem shall be inhabited like unwalled towns," and this befits her even more than walls, for walls represent fear of enemy and war, yet we are in need of Jerusalem’s walls because of their sanctity: to eat the Passover lamb and burnt offerings within them. For this reason we need a Holy Temple, the priesthood, "Urim VeTumim," a Sanhedrin, royalty, and prophecy; without these ingredients we lack the ability to sanctify the walls of Jerusalem.
Where are all of these elements though?
Were we to eat and drink on the day whereupon the walls of Jerusalem were breached we would make a mockery of all of our exalted aspirations and objectives. These things, after all, are largely dependent upon us: our ability to penetrate hearts, affect spiritual growth, remove partitions, and demonstrate unwavering faith and great spirit. We have seen with our own eyes how the redemption consists at once of human action and Divine assistance.
On the Seventeenth of Tammuz the daily Tamid offering was discontinued. Has the Tamid been restored?! On this day the Torah was burned. Does the Torah not continue to be burned by the nations, and, to our great disgrace, by our own dear brothers in the redeemed and liberated land of Israel? On this day, the Tablets were broken. Have the Golden Calf and its worshippers vanished from our midst? On this day, an idol was erected in the Sanctuary. The same idol, in a reincarnated form and boasting a golden dome, continues to stand today upon the ruins of our Sanctuary, and negotiations are underway to expropriate the entire area and give it to the "foxes that walk thereupon." And we, for ourselves, stand impure and removed; our eyes bear witness to all of these things and our sight grows dim. Woe are we that we find ourselves in this disgraceful and humiliating state: we do not even sense the insult and the suffering of the Divine Presence, and our stomach longs for delights. How is it that our heart is not horrified? How is it that our blood does not boil when we see the nation and its leaders displaying such exilic defeatism with regard to our sacred and liberated borders? How is it that instead of mourning over this we remain complacent and indifferent?!
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Biblical verses in this article were taken from The Jerusalem Bible (Koren).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
