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One of Hashem’s names is Makom (the Place), as we say in the prayer of Acheinu, "the Makom should have mercy on them…" The source for this usage appears to be in the gemara in Shabbat (12b), where Rabbi Yehuda said that one who visits the sick should say "the Makom should have mercy on you and all those who are sick in Israel." A much earlier source for this Name may actually be hinted at in our parasha.
In the section that describes Yaakov’s special stay in Beit El, the most frequently repeated word is "makom," referring to the place where these events transpired. This word signifies that the place was a special, sacred one. The sanctity is not a function of human intervention but of the presence of the shechina (Divine Presence), which, Yaakov found out in his dream, existed there.
As was hinted in the gemara above, the shechina is also present at the bedside of the ill, as the pasuk says, "Hashem will support him on his bed of anguish" (Tehillim 41:4 – see this week’s Ein Ayah). Hashem is there to give strength to the sick person, and, for that reason, one who visits should act with the respect due to such a holy setting. That is why the prayer said there includes the name Makom.
Is it possible to induce the shechina to come to other places where we would like it? The answer may be found in the continuation of our parasha, when Yaakov responded to Hashem’s tidings for him. Yaakov made an oath that, in response to his success, he would "give to Hashem" a tenth of what he received (Bereishit 28:20-22). This oath is the basis for the generations’ old minhag to give one tenth of one’s total income to tzedaka. These funds do not become sacred and they are used, not for sacrifices or the like, but for acts of kindness toward Hashem’s creations. This is an example of imitatio dei, copying divine traits such as visiting the sick (see Tanchuma, Vayishlach 10).
One who acts in such a generous way has "Hashem with him," as Yaakov described. Such a person can go up and down the "ladders" that Hashem made, as the Tanchuma (ibid.) describes that Yaakov went to Aram without as much as a pillow for his head and came back from Lavan’s house as a rich man. When one uses his money properly, he does not need angels and physical ladders. As Rashi says in the gemara above, when one, such as a sick person, is privileged to be visited by the shechina, he does not need angels to aid his prayers.
May we always merit being in the right makom, doing the right things, and thereby acquiring the ladders that we need to continuously ascend.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
