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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Shmini
(One can discuss how the midrash reads the pasuk regarding the status of Bnei Yisrael’s calf offering – whether it was an olah or a chatat – and thus in which way it served as an atonement. It is also interesting to note that this is the only appearance of the phrase "egel ben bakar" in the Torah, while we find many appearances of "par ben bakar.")
Many quills have been broken in trying to explain the connection between the two sins for which Bnei Yisrael needed atonement – the sale of Yosef and the Golden Calf – two events that were separated by several generations and were obviously perpetrated by different people. We will discuss this week the Malbim’s explanation, which appears in his commentary on the aforementioned Sifra.
The Malbim explains that in the case of each of these sins, Bnei Yisrael had a claim that minimized their guilt and perhaps could have had them exonerated from the harshest punishments. Regarding the sale of Yosef, the brothers could have claimed that the end result of their action must be considered. Due to their sale of Yosef, Yosef eventually emerged as a powerful leader, and he also was able to save Bnei Yisrael by providing for them food and security during a grave time of famine and danger.
Regarding the sin of the Golden Calf, they could have made the opposite claim. Although the idol worship that resulted from the creation of the Calf was horrible, their intention was just to do something which would cause the Divine Presence to dwell among them. Thus, while misguided, their actions were in the realm of an attempt at service of Hashem.
Before beginning to serve Hashem, properly this time, Bnei Yisrael had to cover themselves. Whether the main factor is the result or it is the intention, they were deserving of full punishment and in need of atonement for at least one of the sins and, to an extent, for both. This is why Bnei Yisrael’s need for atonement was so pronounced. We also should point out that since the goat preceded the calf, the first thing for which they required atonement was for the sin between man and his fellow man. Only afterward did they seek atonement for the sin between man and his Maker.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
