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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Seder Night
- Hallel
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- Shabbat Hagadol
Hallel is also a highlight of the Pesach Seder, but the format in which it is said is unusual & intriguing. First, it is recited at night, as well as during the day, unlike at other Chagim when it is said only by day (many shuls also recite Hallel at the conclusion of Ma’ariv on Seder night). Second, it is split into two parts, rather than said in its entirety, all at once.
The usual explanation for this deviance from the norm is that the first part of Hallel relates to the Exodus, while the second part speaks of a future, Messianic glory. As such, it is appropriate to say it on Seder night, when we focus on the Exodus, as well as by day; & the split format adheres to the Hagada’s principle of, "We begin with the negative (our slavery in Egypt) & conclude with the positive (our Redemption both past & future).
I have another thought about the "split-Hallel."
The Pesach Seder is the epitome of bittersweet emotion. On the one hand, there is much sadness surrounding our two centuries in Egypt, & we reflect this in the maror, the salt-water & the matza "poor bread" that we eat Pesach night.
But there is also much to rejoice over in the Egyptian experience: Our elevated conduct vis a vis our fellow Jew (e.g. we never informed on one another); the honing of our courage & resolve in the "iron furnace" of bondage, which prepared us for all future oppressions; the closeness to Hashem we achieved at that time, &, of course, our eventual redemption. All this we celebrate with 4 toasts of wine, exuberant singing & a grand, festive meal.
On a personal level, most of us carry intense memories of Seders past, spent with loved ones whose seat is now as empty as that of Eliyahu. As great as Pesach is in our own day, we look back with fond nostalgia at how amazing were the Seders of our youth, & we wonder if we could ever create a Yiddishe ta’am (sorry, I can’t find the English equivalent for that!) of that caliber in our own homes & communities.
Hallel, in its divided form, perfectly represents this dualism of both sadness & celebration. It conveys the reality that, as great as it is to celebrate Pesach as free people - particularly in our own Jewish land - we will not be able to sing the full, complete, undivided Hallel until we are all together in Israel, until we are all on the same "spiritual page," & until we are all dedicated to loving, supporting & singing the praise of each & every one of our fellow Jews, as well as Hashem.
On that great and glorious day - may it come soon - we shall all surely recite Hallel Shalem.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
