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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Shlach Lecha
The Sedra begins on a puzzling note, sending very mixed signals. On the one hand, Hashem tells Moshe to send out scouts, m’raglim, to scope out the Land of Israel. This would seem to indicate that the decision to conquer Israel had yet to be made. Yet at the same time,
G-d declares quite matter-of-factly, "I am giving this Land to the Children of Israel."
The spies, understandably, are in a quandary: Is the conquest of Israel Divinely ordained, a "slam dunk," (for all you basketball fans out there!), a "done deal," as the pasuk seems to indicate? If so, then what is the point of their reconnoitering? Or is it "up to us;" that is, does it depend on what WE do, are we human beings ultimately the determining factor as to whether we inherit the Land, or not? If so, are we truly up to the task? Can we decide to opt out, if we think we have good enough reasons to do so?
This is the predicament in which the m’raglim – good, righteous and wise men, each & every one of them – find themselves. And, by extension, it is exactly the crisis which confronts every genuinely G-d-fearing, thoughtful Jew alive today: "Can I be absolutely assured that G-d will grant me a successful Aliya, so that I might fulfill what all our Sages agree is one of THE fundamental Mitzvot of the entire Torah?
Or is it dependent upon my own credentials &, if so, do I have what it takes to make the grade?"
It is, in a word, a battle between Faith and Fitness.
Calev & Yehoshua, who are not even the greatest of the princes sent out as scouts, succinctly address both sides of the issue. On the one hand, they qualify G-d’s role and acknowledge the people’s crucial part in the process. They declare: "If Hashem desires us" – meaning, if we truly do deserve it – "then He will bring us to this Land & give it to us." But at the same time, lest the people lose confidence in themselves, they reassure & encourage the nation: "Yachol Nuchal Lah - we can surely do it!"
Life, as we all know, is about choices. Hashem wants it that way, so we do not become robots, & so that we can earn reward for freely deciding to connect to His will. But those choices may be exceedingly excruciating, and may cause us - like the rebellious m'raglim of our Sedra - to doubt ourselves and our noble cause.
So what do we do?! I suggest, for inspiration, that we look both upwards into the Heavens, as well as way down to our gym shoes, for
the essential message is written there: "JUST DO IT!"
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
