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Beit Midrash
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The luchot are mentioned twice in this week’s parasha. The first time (Devarim 9:10-11) is in the context of the first giving of the Torah at Sinai. However, these luchot were smashed by Moshe (ibid. 15-17). The second time, it says that Moshe was entrusted with quarrying the stones, while Hashem wrote on them "kamichtav harishon (like the first writing)" (see ibid. 10:1-4). (We will not discuss if the same or a newaron was used.) In the parallel section in Shemot (32:15-16), the firstluchot are described as being written from their two sides and that the writing was engraved on the stones.
Chazal (Shabbat 104a) explain – in a manner that is very consistent with the p’shat (simple reading) – that there was a great miracle here. The letters were cut into the stones through and through, which meant that those letters that have an inner part that is detached from the outer part (such as samech and a final mem) were suspended in air by means of a miracle. Rashi on the Torah said that there was an additional miracle, that these engraved words could be read from opposite sides of the stone in their natural order.
The first miracle brings us to another question. What writing was used for the letters found in the luchot? Nowadays, our sifrei Torah and for the most part our printed material, use characters that are calledK’tav Ashurit. However, the old Hebrew writing, which is known asK’tav Daatz, was very different, including that different letters in the respective alphabets have a hollow part to them. The aforementionedgemara, which refers to samech and mem as needing the miracle to exist in the luchot form, is assuming that K’tav Ashurit was used. The Yerushalmi (Megilla 1:(9)) points out that according to the opinion that the Torah was originally written in K’tav Daatz, it was the letter ayin that included the miracle of suspension in air.
It is possible to suggest that there is room for both versions of which letters had a miraculous nature, as it is possible that the two sets of luchot used different characters for the same content. The Torah writes that the second luchot were written kamichtav harishon, while it does not say, kaktav harishon (in other words, the content rather than the lettering was the same). They both also employed miracles, as Moshe relates that it was Hashem and not himself who wrote on the tablets even the second time.
Let us pray to Hashem that He should continue to protect us with miracles, whether they be revealed ones or hidden ones.
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.
