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Beit Midrash
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- Yom Haatzmaut
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- Shabbat and Holidays
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Yom Ha’Atzmaut (& later Yom Yerushalayim) are two such occasions for G-d-fearing Jews to express heart-felt gratitude, Hakarat HaTov, to the Almighty for the miraculous rebirth of our country, the conquest of our eternal capital, & all of the manifold blessings that now flow to Am Yisrael from these Divinely-delivered cataclysmic events.
But, needless to say, these miracles did not occur in a vacuum. Hashem had innumerable messengers who partnered with Him & enabled our prayers & dreams to come to fruition. Foremost among these partners are the holy soldiers who fought for the cause, all too often paying the ultimate price. They, too, must be humbly acknowledged by a grateful nation.
We sometimes link together the 3 successive Torah portions of Acharei Mot, Kedoshim and Emor. Somewhat cynically, we say that when the titles are read as one, they can mean, "After people die, then they say how holy they were!" There is indeed some truth to this; it is common to gloss over one’s faults & (over)glorify their lives after they are gone.
But I suggest another meaning, one that is particularly apropos to precisely this time of year when these three Sidrot are read.
If we place the comma after, rather than before the word "Kedoshim," we come out with the phrase: "After the death of the holy, we must speak about them." That is, we are obligated to speak openly & admirably of our martyred heroes whose courage opened the door to our own good fortune. And this is exactly what we do, on a national level, on both Yom HaShoa & Yom Hazikaron.
There is a pasuk from Yirmiyahu which we recite in the Musaf Rosh Hashana section of Zichronot- memories: "Ha-ben yakir li Efraim…..ki miday dabru bo, zachor ez’k’renu od…rachem arachamenu, n’ume Hashem; My beloved son & precious child Efraim; when I speak about him, I remember him." This pasuk is often found on the walls of cemeteries (including Ra’anana’s military cemetery). Efraim, the leader of the 10 (lost) Tribes, may have strayed from the path. But Hashem misses Him, yearns for him, remembers him.
So must we, for our children. If we do, then they will not be lost, & G-d will have mercy upon us.
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.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
