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Beit Midrash
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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.
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts