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Beit Midrash
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- Vayikra
Uh, what do you mean, "If/when?!" Make up your mind, please; is it "If?" or is it, "When?" After all, the two words are certainly not the same; one is optional, the other is obligatory! So which definition is the one that fits our pasuk?
Well, that is exactly Rashi’s point when he comments on the Hebrew word, "Im." Normally, he says, it would be translated as, "if." But on some rare occasions, the same word means "when." Such as in the verse, "Im – WHEN you will lend money to a fellow Jew in need…." No ifs, ands, or buts; you HAVE to help him. It’s just a question of when.
And here, too, in our pasuk, the Torah tells us that we must bring certain korbanot, whether we like it or not.
But hold on a second. I was always taught that "sacrifice" was a very bad translation of the word "korban." Because "sacrifice" implies that I am giving up something (usually money!) that I would much rather not part with. A better translation (and certainly a more "PC" one!) would be "offering," which has the connotation of something I do willingly, out of choice, in order to get closer to Hashem.
So how, then, can I be forced to do something willingly?! It’s a contradiction in terms!
Let’s try to unravel this riddle by taking our time-machine back to the beginning of humanity. Kayin brings a korban to G-d; but being that it is inferior, Hashem rejects it, & Kayin goes berserk. What was Kayin thinking?
Kayin said to himself, "Why does Almighty G-d need my offering; He has everything & wants for nothing! So I may as well not use up the best of my produce; I’ll just bring a simple, token bit of flax." But Hashem is not happy. Of course, it's true that He doesn’t need the offering; but He DOES want Kayin to give his utmost, to try his hardest, to excel in sharing. To learn to be a giver, & not only a taker.
And so it is with the whole concept of offerings – today represented by prayer. G-d demands that we bring offerings & that we pray, but not for His benefit. Ultimately it is we who are the recipients of the offerings we present, of those prayers we utter. And because G-d, the supreme parent, wants the best for us, He must sometimes make us do that which is right & in the end rewarding for us.
Perhaps that is why the word, "Im" has the same Hebrew letters as "Aym – mother." G-d, the Mother of all life, knows best!
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.
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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.
