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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.
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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.
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.