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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
For I have loved him, because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of G-d, doing charity and justice, in order that G-d might then bring upon Abraham that which He had spoken of him.
Abraham is characterized as going in "G-d’s way" and in the way of "charity and justice".
The Midrash writes surprising things on this verse (Leviticus Rabba (Margaliot) Parshat Bechukotai 36):
Rabbi Berachia and Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman:
Abraham was only saved from the fire due to the merit of Jacob. What is this compared to? To a person who was sentenced by the ruler to be burned. The ruler saw astrologically that the person was destined to have a daughter who would marry the king. The ruler said that it is worth saving him due to the merit of this future daughter who will marry the king.
This was the same in the case of Nimrod’s verdict to burn Abraham. G-d said that he must be saved due to the merit of Jacob. As it says: "Therefore, so said G-d, Who redeemed Abraham, to the House of Jacob" (Isaiah 29:22).
Our Rabbis said that Abraham himself was only created due toJacob’s merit, as it says: "For I have loved him, because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of G-d, doing charity and justice" (Genesis 18:19), and there is only charity and justice by Jacob, as it says: "The justice and righteousness of Jacob, You have made" (Psalms 99:4).
Our Sages write that Abraham was saved from Sodom, and possibly even created, due to the merit of Jacob, since Jacob was destined to perform deeds of charity and justice. Seemingly, this greatly diminishes Abraham’s importance. The verse which seems to describe Abraham’s greatness, in fact, seems to describe Jacob’s greatness.
However, on the contrary, this is Abraham’s special greatness. Abraham was chosen not because of his own existence in the world, but rather because of his being a conduit to the founding of the Jewish people!
Abraham was selected not only for his special traits, but also because he will bequeath these qualities to his descendants. And not only because he will educate the Nation of Israel (he commands his children and his household after him) but because this is how it will actually be (they keep the way of G-d, doing charity and justice).
Abraham is the founder, the leader and the preeminent educator for the Jewish people. However, the Jewish people is the underlying reason for the selection of Abraham. Abraham was chosen because of the Divine knowledge that the Jewish people are destined to emanate from him.
Doing charity and justice – they characterize Abraham, but they also characterize and obligate us, his descendants.
It is possible that this is referring to fair justice, honesty and morals. And it is possible that it is talking about charity in the meaning of kindness, and about justice in the meaning of judgment. The integration of kindness and charity together with judgment and honesty.
There are two things in prayer for which we say the verb "love". The first is love of Israel:
May You not remove Your love from us forever.
Blessed are You, G-d, Who loves His nation Israel.
The second is love of charity and justice.
Blessed are You, G-d, the King Who loves righteousness and judgment.
G-d loves His Nation Israel, and G-d loves charity and justice. These two things are understood from the verse in our Parsha, in which G-d calls Abraham’s way "the way of G-d", and in which G-d explains his selection of the Nation of Israel as they go in the way of G-d, in the way of charity and justice.
Honesty and justice are the most important things in every place in the world. However, by the Nation of Israel they are the defining, core characteristics – they stand at the basis of our selection. We need to constantly strive for honesty and justice, to strive to the way of G-d, and to pray that just as G-d loves charity and justice, so will His love for us continue "May You not remove Your love from us forever"!
Peninei Halakha 5. Weddings and Engagements during the Omer Period
Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.