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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
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When Yosef was looking for his brothers, he met someone along the way with whom he discussed their location (Bereishit 37:15). The Torah gives no indication of who this "man" was, but Chazal, and in their name, Rashi, say that it was the angel Gavriel. In the desert there was an unnamed man who desecrated Shabbat (Bamidbar 15:32). We will discuss his identity later. Hashem sent a prophet to confront Yeravam for building the altars and the golden calves in Beit El and Dan (Melachim I:13:1), and the navi does not divulge the prophet’s identity. Chazal tell us that it was Ido Hanavi. In Divrei Hayamim (II:25:15), Hashem sent an unnamed prophet to rebuke the king, Amatzia, and Chazal tell us that it was Amotz, Amatzia’s brother, and the father of the prophet Yeshayahu.
In our haftara, we read about the miraculous resuscitation of the young son of the woman known as the Shunamit. Nothing is told of who the child was and what became of him later. The Zohar says that he became the prophet Chavakuk, a name that hints at Elisha’s prophecy to the Shunamit that a year from the promise she would be embracing (choveket) a son. It also points out that he was held close not only by his mother but also by Elisha when he was bringing him back to life.
The interesting dispute between Tannaim about the identity of a certain sinner illustrates different approaches to revealing the identity of those whom Tanach does not divulge. Rabbi Akiva (Shabbat 96b) says that the man who desecrated Shabbat and was executed in the desert was Tzlufchad, the father of the famous women who asked to inherit their father’s portion in Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira attacks Rabbi Akiva’s approach with the following logic. If it is not Tzlufchad, then it is defaming an innocent man, and even if it is him, what right does Rabbi Akiva have to divulge that which the Torah chose to keep a secret?
If one looks into the matter, it is clear that Rabbi Akiva felt that it was fully legitimate to decipher and divulge that which the Torah left vague. In fact, even according to Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira, it is possible that if not for the problem of speaking negatively about the sinner, it would be fine to say who an anonymous character is. Going through the other cases we mentioned and many others, we find Chazal consistently trying to identify people and other pertinent details that are not spelled out in the Torah text.
At Eretz Hemdah, we approach Tanach with an eye for looking for hints about all sorts of hidden details. In doing so, we use that which Chazal taught specifically and that which they taught generally about how to go about this task. We pray to Hashem that we will succeed in learning Tanach with no less depth and intensity than we use for analyzing the intricacies of monetary law.
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.
