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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The King of the Khazars himself asks the Rabbi, "Please explain to me how your religion arose. How did it spread and become accepted? How was a consensus reached concerning its components? There must initially have been conflicting opinions. After all, every religion begins either with a small group of individuals who gradually influence the masses through persuasive argument, or some powerful ruler who forces his faith upon his subjects. This being the case, how did the Jewish religion begin, and how did it spread to the point where it was accepted by the entire Jewish people?"
To this the rabbi responds that, indeed, religions which derive from man begin in such a manner. Religious systems which spring from the human mind begin with individuals and spreads to the masses. This, however, is not true of the Jewish faith, for it originated with God Himself. It came into existence suddenly, not unlike the creation of the world itself.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
19 - 17. According to Divine Guidance
20 - 18. The Exodus and Jewish Faith
21 - 21. God's Elite Line
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Then, suddenly, the Almighty sent Moses and Aaron to deliver the people from bondage. Moses and Aaron possessed no militia to aid them in this task. Rather, they came in the name of God Himself, with signs and wonders which defied the laws of nature. Pharaoh, with all of his power, was unable to protect himself from the Ten Plagues which God brought upon Him and the people of Egypt. First, God plagued the water, then the land, the air, the vegetation, and the animals. Finally God beset the very bodies and souls of the Egyptians. In a single moment, at midnight, God struck down all of the firstborn of Egypt. There was no home in Egypt that was not struck.
Moreover, each of these plagues was preceded by a warning, and each one came at the precise time and in the exact place that Moses said it would. All testified that this was the "finger of God." All understood that it was not a quirk of nature but a real miracle.
On the very day that the firstborn of Egypt were killed, the Children of Israel left Egypt. They did this in fulfillment of God's command, hastily and in a single swift operation. In a miraculously short period of time, the plight of the Israelites was reversed completely; they were transformed from a band of despondent slaves to a free nation, and Pharaoh and his people were completely subdued by God's Ten Plagues. This is how the faith of Israel began. God delivered the Children of Israel from Egypt and made them His chosen nation. From that point onward, the Jewish people were God's people. Later, God performed many more miracles and wonders on their behalf. We shall, God willing, discuss this matter in the next lesson.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.