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Most people, of course, would say it is "Kriat Yam Suf," the Splitting of the Reed Sea. I mean, how could anything ever top that?! Indeed, Chazal say that ALL water, everywhere in the world, moved from side to side at that moment! It spelled the end of Egypt as a world power, & sealed the deal of our deliverance from slavery.
But others (e.g. Ibn Ezra) say that the Mahn, also a part of our sedra of B’Shalach, is an even greater miracle! After all, it fell from Heaven to our doorstep, perfectly integrated into the body (with no waste left over!) & tasted like almost any food imaginable. (Quite fittingly, the parsha of Mahn is read during this week of Tu B’Shvat; Rav Dessler says that fruit is the modern-day equivalent of the Mahn!)
But I wonder about the confluence of the 3 major items in our Sedra: The Splitting of the Sea, the Mahn, & the battle against Amalek. What, if anything, connects these three seemingly disparate subjects?
I suggest the following: Kriat Yam Suf was a miracle that could not be denied; it was so dramatic, so stupendous, that even the most cynical, stubborn unbeliever HAD to acknowledge it. As Chazal write: "The maid-servant at the Sea ‘saw G-d’ more than even the greatest prophets of Jewish history!"
But miracles are not restricted only to events which mesmerize us. Miracles also come packaged in what seems like natural, rational events. In fact, it is actually these miracles which are even more impressive, because they happen almost casually, as if they are "coming" to us.
This is precisely the point of the latter two items in the sedra. Mahn represents parnasa – sustenance; ("Mahn" even connects to "money" or "mahn"-ey!). Is it not a miracle that we have survived – no, prospered! – throughout the generations, despite often being restricted from guilds, universities, government office, real estate, etc?
And all the wars we have fought – starting with Amalek & continuing to this very day in Israel - how did we survive, or triumph in those?? Is this any less miraculous than the sea splitting?!
The Torah "connects the dots" for us: "Mahn" is the root of the word "Emuna," faith. And in the war against Amalek, Moshe lifts his hands to the heavens, from whence our help comes, & we prevail. "Vay’hi yadav EMUNA" says the pasuk, employing this same exact term; his hands "were faithful."
Let’s "faith" it: Miracles are everywhere; just close your eyes & open your souls, & - IF you have faith - you will undoubtedly see them.
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.
