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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Kdoshim
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Tenth of Tevet
- Yom Hakaddish Haklali
Several years ago, I was privileged to attend, along with 100 other Rabbis from around the world, the re-opening of Istanbul’s Neve Shalom synagogue. It had been attacked by cowardly Palestinian terrorists on Sep. 6, 1986, resulting in the murder of 22 congregants.
At the dedication, a shul officer drew our attention to a large Chumash that was enclosed in a glass case on the bima. He explained that although the attack took place on Shabbat parshat Shoftim, when the killing was over, they found the chumash open to parshat Kedoshim, blood splattered over the pages. As a reminder of that horrible incident, the chumash remains open to this day to that very same spot.
All Jews who are prepared to maintain their faith in Hashem, even at the cost of their lives, are part of the definition of Kedoshim. And so it is not by coincidence that Yom HaShoah coincides with this sedra, as we honor the memory of the 6 – closer to 7 – million Kedoshim.
But Kedusha is not reserved for the dead, of course. Perhaps an even higher level of Kedusha comes when we sanctify life. And that is exactly what the 51 Mitzvot in our parsha are designed to do. They offer a panorama of various ways in which we elevate human activity to a level of holiness, impacting upon others around us, &, at the very same time, upon ourselves.
We learn to honor our parents, & not engage in idolatry. To refrain from stealing, & to give to the poor by sharing our fields with them. We honor Torah scholars, but show no undue favoritism at a trial, even to the most eminent of leaders. We are instructed to rebuke a fellow Jew who is not conducting himself properly – in order to spare him the punishment that comes with sinning – yet at the same time we cannot embarrass him in the process.
The cornerstone of acting with Kedusha is embodied in the famous dictum, V’Ahavta L’Rayacha Kamocha – you should love your neighbor as you love yourself. This Mitzva actually encompasses all the others: Just as you would not want to be robbed, just as you would want others to help you if you were needy, just as you would not want to be cursed, so must you do unto others.
Rabi Akiva said of this unique commandment: Zeh K’lal Gadol B’Torah ("this is a foundation of Torah"). Read instead, this is the key to creating a great Torah K’lal (community) that is characterized by its Kedusha.
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.
