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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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- Va'etchanan
His greatest disappointment was being told by Hashem that he would not be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. Moshe pleaded – according to Chazal, he offered no less than 515 prayers (the gematria of "V’Etchanan) – all to no avail. He was willing to enter as a "private citizen," rather than as leader of the nation, but that was rejected. He even, says the Medrash, asked to become a bird & fly over the border, but Hashem nixed that, too!
Many reasons are given for Moshe’s desperate desire to live in Israel, the principal one being that he wished to fulfill the Mitzvot that can only be earned in Israel (yes, Shmita is indeed fast approaching!). Others say it wasn’t about any specific Mitzva; it was simply Moshe’s steadfast belief that every Jew should live in the Holy Land, that the greatest Mitzva one can do is to be surrounded by the Kedusha that permeates this, & only this land.
This helps to answer the question: Why wasn’t Moshe content to reside in the land east of the Jordan where, says G’mara Bikkurim, the Mitzvot T’luyot B’Aretz apply no less than west of the Jordan? Yes, that is true; but that area is still not quite Israel proper, & it is not connected directly to Yerushalayim, so Moshe would not have been satisfied with that.
But there is another reason why Moshe did not want to "settle" for setting trans-Jordan. According to some commentaries, Moshe also wanted to be part of the war of conquest that would be fought against the 7 Canaanite nations then residing within the land. He wanted to join a brigade & fight side-by-side with Israel’s brave soldiers, under Yehoshua’s command, and be one of those who would liberate Eretz Yisrael & claim it for the Jewish People forever. The z’chut of being a chayal, Moshe felt, was among the greatest merits he could ever gain in this world. THAT was part of his determination to cross the border into Israel.
What an appropriate message on this Shabbat Nachamu, as we reflect on the war against terror we have been fighting for the last month - and years before! - as well as grieving over the horrific losses we have suffered in this conflict. No one – not the greatest Rosh Yeshiva, the most respected professor or the most celebrated political leader – can stand in the company of these soldiers & not be humbled by their bravery, their sacrifice, their kedusha. All must stand in respect of them.
In their great merit, we ask that Hashem save us, bring us true Nechama, & grant us victory & lasting Shalom.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
