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Beit Midrash
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Chazal summarized three destructions of Temples – Shilo and the two Batei Hamikdash – as follows. "Rav Yochanan ben Torata said: Why was Shilo destroyed? Because of the disgrace of kodashim (sacrifices) within it. The first Beit Hamikdash was destroyed because of idolatry, adultery, and murder. However, regarding the final one, we know that they toiled in Torah and were careful about tithes; why were they exiled? Because they loved money and hated their fellow man. This teaches you that Hashem despises hatred for one’s fellow to a degree that is equivalent to idolatry, adultery, and murder" (Tosefta, Menachot 13:22).
Before learning from the statements, let us reveal the identity of Rav Yochanan ben Torata. The Pesikta (Rabbati 14) tells of a Jew who had a cow for plowing, which he had to sell to a non-Jew due to poverty. The non-Jew tried to work the cow on Shabbat, but the cow refused to budge. The buyer decided the cow was flawed and wanted to nullify the sale. The seller realized that the cow was unaccustomed to working on Shabbat and offered to get it to work. He spoke to the cow, saying: "While you were used to not having to work on Shabbat, since, due to my sins, I had to sell you and you are now owned by a non-Jew, I ask of you to get up and plow." The cow did just that. When the buyer saw this, he promptly decided to convert, and he became known as Yochanan ben Torata (Aramaic for "son of the cow"), and he became a respected scholar.
The destruction of Shilo was prompted by the actions of the sons of Eili, who disgraced the institution of sacrifices by turning the Mishkan into a lucrative business for the marketing of various meat products. There is no greater disgrace to korbanot than to turn them into a business. Rav Yochanan’s explanation of the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash is the standard one.
The explanation that the second Beit Hamikdash was destroyed due to baseless hatred is also well-known, but Rav Yochanan ben Torata adds that they were occupied in Torah and were careful about ma’asrot, yet they loved money and hated their counterparts, which was as despicable as cardinal sins. Their carefulness about important elements of the Torah did not prevent them from loving money and the related sins of lack of honesty when money is involved or from hating those who were different from them. [Ed. Note- the language implies that they hated those who were similar to them as well, as was the case with Rabbi Akiva’s students.]
Let us ask ourselves if we have sufficiently opened our hearts and doorways to converts and if we have been concerned about Shabbat not just for ourselves but for the betterment of others in society as well. Let us ask whether we have been careful to increase love between all elements of society in Israel, even those who are not in our niche. We will leave these questions open for contemplation in our lives (not those of others) on this Shabbat that leads into the week of Tisha B’Av.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.