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The episode begins with Hashem apparently commanding Avraham to bring his son as a sacrifice on a certain mountain (Bereishit 22:2). Yet, the Torah elsewhere warns very strongly: "From your offspring do not pass to the Molech" (Vayikra 18:21), a practice, which according to the Ramban, included not just passing near a fire but that the person was burnt to death.
We find in the times of the Judges that Yiftach sacrificed his daughter due to a vow to Hashem to sacrifice the first thing that left his house when he would return successfully from battle. The simple reading of the navi’s account is that he inexplicably fulfilled this oath literally (see Shoftim 11:30-39), despite the obvious fact that one has neither authority nor the slightest justification to do such a thing.
The main idolatrous deity of Ammon was Molech or Malkom. It is therefore not surprising that King Meisha of the brother nation, Moav, brought his son as a sacrifice as is stated in Melachim (II:3:26-27). The navi writes that there was great divine anger at Bnei Yisrael in this context. The Rabbis explain that the anger was due to the fact that there were those in Bnei Yisrael who also acted in this way (see Rashi and Radak, ad loc.). By the end of the period of the First Temple, this practice had grown significantly. The navi chided King Menasheh for perpetrating this great sin with his own son (Melachim II:21:6). Yeshayahu (57:5) cried out about those who "slaughter children in the riverbeds". Menasheh’s grandson and great-grandson also continued this horrible practice. Yirmiyahu (7:31), at the end of the First Temple period, described those who built altars to idolatry in Gei Ben Hinom (outside old Yerushalayim) in which they burnt their sons and daughters.
Three times (including, ibid.) Yirmiyahu stresses that this practice was "that which I did not command, and I did not speak, and it did not cross My mind." Chazal (Midrash Tannaim, Devarim 17) explain Yirmiya’s intention: "which I did not command" – in the Torah; "and I did not speak" – in the Ten Commandments; "and it did not cross My mind" – that a man would sacrifice his son on an altar. Another opinion (cited ibid.) is that He did not command Yiftach, and did not speak to Meisha, and it did not cross His mind that "Avraham would bring Yitzchak on the altar but it was just a test."
Let us pray that in the renewed State of Israel, children will be educated to have good characteristics and be worthy of the titles of "the sons of Avraham" and "compassionate, shy, and kind people." When the task of providing such education will assume its proper place in our priorities, we will know that we are more solid ground.
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts