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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Yom Kippur
- Yom Kippur Prayers
By far, the highest number of transgressions in the list – no less than eleven – result from mistakes of the mouth. Defamation, slander, swearing falsely, gossip, untrue talk, foolish talk, offensive talk; it all begins when we open those two gates – our lips & our teeth - & let our snakelike tongue out to wreak its verbal havoc.
So guarding our words, & choosing them oh, so very carefully, is a highly-recommended way to lessen that list of "speech defects" that afflicts virtually all of us (certain mimes may be ahead of the rest of the pack!).
But I believe that the problem is not only with the things we say. An equal or even greater problem may stem from that which we do NOT say! And so I would like to suggest three phrases – each of which consists of no more than three little words! - that can make a huge difference in our relationship with others and, by extension, in our relationship with Hashem.
1) HOW ARE YOU? Asking about another’s welfare is the quickest way to move out of "ego-mode" & into "care/share" mode. But don’t say it as an unconscious, meaningless nicety; mean it, & wait for an answer. And if the person you are addressing has recently undergone
an illness, or a trauma, let them know that you are genuinely interested in their struggle, & that, at the very least, you are prepared to listen attentively to their concerns.
2) THANK YOU. We are called "Jews" or "Yehudim;" the root of the word means "acknowledgement" or "thank you." Giving thanks, "hakarat ha-tov," is one of our most important qualities & responsibilities. It affirms that we are not an island unto ourselves; that we need others & they need us. We connect to others by the acts, large & small, that we do on behalf of them, & vice-versa. "Thanks" says, "I don’t take you for granted; I appreciate you."
3) I’M SORRY! We are not perfect; we make mistakes. We can be careless, & hurt people. A big person, a humble person, can "re-boot" a damaged relationship in an instant with these simple, apologetic words of regret.
So, on this Yom Ha-Din, I thank you for reading this; I’m sorry if I offended you, & by the way, How Are You?!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
