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Beit Midrash
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The thinking Jew is continually confronted by the obvious question: Why must joy be preceded by suffering? Why must we first be traumatized by war & pain, & only then be delivered into victory & triumph?
Our Sedra presents the same quandary, when discussing the malady of Tzara'at in the walls of a home. The owner of the home removes his possessions & then tearfully stands & watches as his house is demolished, brick by brick. But wait, we are told by the Medrash; there's good news, too! In the walls are gold & jewels, secreted there by the former owners, who hid their valuables there when they fled. The distraught homeowner finds this treasure & his pain is ameliorated.
But - why did he have to endure this ordeal? Why didn't G-d reveal the treasure without the trauma?
This question is amplified in the story of Nadav & Avihu, the sons of Aharon. When they died, as Rashi explains in the Sedra of Shmini, Moshe said to Ahron, "I knew the Mishkan would have to be sanctified through someone, I just thought it would be me or you," implying that the death of Ahron's sons was a necessary prerequisite to building the Mishkan.
But why? Why is there the concept of "Bikrovay Ekadesh - I shall be made holy via those closest to Me?" Of all the mysteries of the Torah, this, to me, is perhaps the most confounding, the most inscrutable.
I therefore submit that we must approach this issue as a scientist views the world. We can faithfully know WHAT happens, but not necessarily WHY it happens. The facts are: Liberation follows slavery; healing follows sickness; peace follows war, & Life follows Death.
If we are alive today with a holy, vibrant Jewish country, our People resurrected in an eternal Israel, it is only because G-d's holy ones gave their lives Al Kiddush Hashem.
Acknowledging our heroes on Yom HaZikaron reflects both our trust in G-d, whose mighty Hand fashions every event, as well as a sense of deep gratitude for those who made our lives livable. A Jew who stands in respect as the siren sounds on Yom Hazikaron not only honors our brave soldiers; he also honors & affirms Hashem.
The stance we take on Yom Hazikaron is the strongest prayer we can possibly utter that we might be granted the treasure, but not the trauma. May this be G-d's will.
Igrot Hare’aya Improving New Yishuv More Practical than Alternatives
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #107
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.
