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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 Giving thanks will never become outdated.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!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
