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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Terumah
This time we will examine the connection between Yitro and Teruma, even though they are separated by Mishpatim. The giving of the Torah starts in Yitro and continues through Mishpatim. The construction of the Mishkan starts with Teruma and continues through the end of Sefer Shemot well into Sefer Vayikra. One of the main identifying elements of the giving of the Torah was the prevalence of the Glory of Hashem, which was accompanied by special clouds and fire at Mt. Sinai. Specifically, at the end of Mishpatim, the Torah tells how Moshe went up the mountain and entered the cloud, where he stayed for 40 days and nights (Shemot 24:12-18). The question that a spiritual person asks is how could Bnei Yisrael continue the positive elements they gained by these expressions of the Divine Presence well beyond the one-time event of Matan Torah?
A powerful answer is contained in the opening of Parashat Teruma. Bnei Yisrael would donate for a Mishkan, which would be a place where the Divine Presence would dwell on an ongoing basis (Shemot 25:8). Key among the elements of the Mishkan was the aron (ark containing the luchot, upon which the Ten Commandments were written). The aron was covered by a kaporet, out of which rose up the keruvim, and the voice of Hashem spoke to Moshe from that point (ibid. 22). The idea that without an aron there is no Mishkan (see Yerushalmi, Megilla 1:12) gives this connection extra meaning. The Mishkan enables the continuation of the dwelling of the Divine Presence in the midst of Bnei Yisrael.
In this state, the connection to Hashem is not only through the bringing of sacrifices but with the ongoing involvement in Torah study, which had started with the powerful Divine Revelation at Sinai. The luchot are in the midst of the aron in the midst of the Mishkan. Their presence enables Moshe to continue to receive Torah lessons from Hashem, which he can share with the whole nation. This center of service and of Torah, which started in the Mishkan, continued for hundreds more years in the Beit Hamikdash, continuing the Sinaitic experience. Through the study of Torah, then, the Jew is able to continue his direct connection to Hashem. In and around the Mishkan there is also a prevalence of the cloud that hosts the Shechina, as we see when the Mishkan was complete in the midst of its inauguration (see Shemot 40:34-38).
Let us pray to continue to receive the Torah, preserving the experience Bnei Yisrael had at Sinai, and live a life in which "I [Hashem] will dwell among you."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
