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But was Pesach Mitzrayim really a korban? Was blood sprinkled on an altar?! Were specific parts of the animal (eimurin) offered to Hashem?! On the other hand, the mishna (Pesachim 9:3) lists a relatively short number of differences between Pesach Mitzrayim and Korban Pesach for all generations, which certainly gives the impression that, at least at their core, they are both korbanot. The Torah itself, after discussing Pesach Mitzrayim, declares that Bnei Yisrael will do this service for all generations (ibid. 25).
A fascinating gemara (Pesachim 96a) gives us cause to realize that Pesach Mitzrayim was more of a korban than one might think. The gemara asks about the apparent fact that no blood was sprinkled on an altar in Pesach Mitzrayim and says that its blood was actually placed on three "altars," the lintel and the two doorposts of the individual Jews’ houses. (The gemara addresses the eimurin as well, but there is a machloket whether it means to say that there were no eimurin or whether the proper parts were burnt "for Hashem," albeit not on an altar.)
How could the blood on the doorposts be considered like putting blood on the altar of Hashem’s Temple? Doesn’t the Torah say clearly that the blood was for Hashem to "see" and pass over the appropriate houses, sparing their firstborn (ibid. 23)? What does that have to do with service of Hashem?!
One answer is that we, as apparent from our questions, are looking at things in the wrong order. The doorposts were chosen as altars, and thus the blood was put there as part of a korban procedure. Then the fact that Hashem saw the people’s service protected them.
Another possibility refocuses our outlook on service of Hashem, in general. Does the blood on "Hashem’s altar" help Him? No, it helps us, protects us, and brings us success in a variety of ways. Usually, we have to work on reminding ourselves of this point, which some do more effectively than others. However, in this first set of commandments given to the Jewish people as a nation, Hashem left no room for doubt. He expressed that He wanted to save all the Jewish homes, and so He appointed each home to consist of "altars" in its entrance. Hashem then taught that by following the steps of sacrifice (which albeit were unique regarding the Korban Pesach), they would be protecting themselves, in a very clear way, on that night. During the course of history, it is our responsibility to find Hashem’s protection in more subtle ways.
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.