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Yaakov Ben Behora
Two mitzvot associated with homicide - arei miklat (cities of refuge) and eglah arufah (a heifer whose neck is broken) - appear in Parashat Shofetim. If we properly establish cities of refuge, we can avoid the stain to which the Torah refers: "That innocent blood be not shed in your land which Hashem your God gives you for an inheritance"(Devarim 19:10). The parallel verse in Parashat Mas'ei speaks of the Land as polluted by the innocent blood shed upon it.
Two points are noteworthy. First, the verses relating to these mitzvot emphasize the impact murder has on the earth and on the Land. Secondly, both arei miklat and eglah arufah are practiced only in Eretz Yisrael. Ramban (Vayikra 18:25) points out the apparent anomaly in that the violation of certain prohibitions relating to personal conduct and not at all dependent on the land have a catastrophic effect on the Land itself. Included in this category are sexual immorality, spilling of innocent blood and idolatry. Ramban explains that already at the world's creation Hashem placed Eretz Yisrael at the center of the inhabited earth, even though He, of course, is King of the entire world. Hashem separated Am Yisrael from all the nations, giving us Eretz Yisrael - His special portion.
Although true that murder is murder wherever it is perpetrated, one cannot compare someone who sins in his own backyard to someone who sins in the King's palace. To inhabit God's Holy Land is Am Yisrael's privilege, a privilege which also bears challenge and responsibility.
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
