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Beit Midrash
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And so the Midrash tells us that in the end of days, when sin will be removed from the world, all the offerings listed in our Sedra will be obsolete – except for one, the Korban Toda, the Thanks-Offering. Giving thanks will never become outdated.
This message is subtly communicated via the Tefilot, which replaced korbanot when the Bet HaMikdash was destroyed. In the most important of these prayers, the Amida, one can merely listen & answer "Amen" to the Chazan's repetition. EXCEPT when it comes to the Modim, or thanksgiving prayer. That must be said by each person individually; thanks can never, ever be taken for granted.
And here is the connection to Pesach: If one had to synthesize all of the elaborate Pesach rituals into one idea, one central message, it would be Hakarat HaTov, the acknowledgement that we owe everything to Hashem, & must constantly tell him so, by simply saying, "Toda."
That is why there were 10 Plagues, & not just one; so that we could "get in the habit" of appreciating all the things G-d does for us. That is why the Dayenu has 15 distinct levels of recognition, cataloguing the way in which the Almighty literally moved Heaven & Earth for us each step of the way, from servitude in Egypt to liberation to entering Israel to building the Bet HaMikdash. Every step elicits our sincere gratitude to G-d.
Not because Hashem needs our thanks, per se. But because He loves us, & because He wants to mold us into a spiritually-refined being that recognizes all the many gifts which we have been given, & encourage us to share those gifts with others. The knowledge that you have been blessed must motivate you to bless others in turn.
Perhaps that is why the Torah specifies that the korban Toda must always be accompanied by Matzot, as a way of reminding us that the ultimate Chesed done for us in history was when Hashem intervened in the state of natural human affairs in order to extricate us from Egypt & elevate us above all the nations. That deserves thanks.
Yet, having said that, the prophet Yirmiyahu & others tell us that the time will come when the miracles of Mitzrayim will pale compared to the wonders heaped upon us when we return to Israel, the exiles are in-gathered & the Final Redemption arrives. THAT will be the pinnacle of history, surpassing the Exodus, & we will then truly reach the highest stage of being a "Yehudi - one who gives thanks."
Chag Pesach Kasher V’sameach!
The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Dress Appropriately!
The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (16) - Tzav
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
