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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
Naturally, with rewards and benefits, the Torah always imposes duties and responsibilities. The tribe of Levi was excluded from ownership of land in the Land of Israel and from most general commercial activities as well. Its role was to serve in the Temple, to be the educators and teachers of Torah to the Jewish people and to be moral personal examples of the values involved in living a truly Jewish life. The tribe of Levi lived in forty eight cities scattered throughout the boundaries of the land of Israel. They were the spiritual soldiers, so to speak, who were on the ground engaging and influencing Jewish society. They were entitled to be supported by the Jewish people as a whole through the system of tithing but they were seen to be an elite group given over to God, so to speak, in order to serve their fellow Jews spiritually and in many cases even physically. Even after the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the Jewish people throughout the nations of the world, the Levites have retained certain special privileges and honors and have a unique role in the Jewish religious world. They are the symbol of national and religious service in the realm of the obligations upon all Jews to work for the common benefit of all of their brethren. Because of their special role in Jewish life they are entitled to be counted separately and uniquely in the count of the Jewish people as it appears in these sections of the Torah. There is a lesson in that for all of us, whether we are of the tribe of Levi or not.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.