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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
Yes, I know that sounds very, well, evangelical. But it’s true, all the same. How do I know? Because over & over again, little things in the Torah indicate that Hashem is always looking out for our best interests, cheering us on to do better, & taking our needs into account.
But do we always get the message, & fully appreciate what we have?
In our Sedra, for example, we read about the Jews who complained about their lot in the desert, complaining even about the miracle Mahn, lamenting how much they missed the cucumbers, the watermelon, the leeks, the onion & garlic that they had enjoyed in Egypt. (This always reminds me of the people who wax nostalgic about the "good old days" in the shtetls of Europe, which, in reality, were among the most horrible places that we Jews have ever lived in).
But wait; didn’t the mahn taste like any food we imagined? So what was there to complain about?
Rashi explains that these particular five foods mentioned above were the exception to the rule; the mahn couldn’t mimic their taste, because they were harmful to nursing mothers. OK; so why not just warn those mothers not to eat them! Ah, but feelings count: Hashem didn’t want the inequity of some people being able to experience certain tastes, while others could not! So He declared those foods "off-limits."
A similar message is conveyed by the unusual law in our parsha of "Pesach Sheni," whereby Jews who were unable to bring the Korban Pesach in its normal time (Nisan 14) were permitted to bring it one month later. Their compelling argument before Moshe & Ahron – "Why should WE be denied the chance to perform this great Mitzva?!" – falls on receptive Divine "ears," & Hashem grants their petition.
But why is Pesach the only time that this special dispensation is given? Why, for example, can we not build & dwell in a Sukka a month after Sukkot, if we unavoidably missed the first opportunity to do so?
I suggest that Pesach is chosen for a "make-up Mitzva" for two reasons: One, it is the first holiday in our calendar, so it sets the tone for all the others. But more important, Pesach is the "Season of our Liberation." Mitzvot are not to be viewed as oppressive obligations that we do grudgingly, but rather as grand occasions that bring us closer to G-d, as stimuli that "liberate" our souls & give us purpose in life.
As such, Pesach is the perfect venue to drive home this message to the masses: Do not ask what you can do for the Mitzvot, but what the Mitzvot can do for you.
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.
