YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Yom Haatzmaut
- Additional Lessons
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- IDF Memorial Day
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.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
