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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Chayei Sara
Avraham, as we know, was tested 10 times. Chazal debate just what these tests were, & most assume that the Akeida was the last & toughest test. But others argue that the events of this week’s sedra – the protracted purchase of Ma’arat HaMachpela as an eternal, holy resting place for the Avot & Imahot – was his final trial.
But just what did this test consist of?
To answer, let us recall that much earlier, when Avraham first set out for Israel, he took along his nephew Lot. It wasn’t very long before Avraham was forced to part ways with his brother’s son. What caused the rift? Lot’s workers were grazing their cattle on land that did not
belong to them. Their rationale? Avraham had been promised this land by G-d, & Lot (at least at that time) was Avraham’s one and only heir. So, they reasoned, in essence, "the land is as much as ours already – let’s just use it now!"
Avraham was repelled by this false sense of justice, and so he and Lot separated, with Lot going to live in S’dom, a place that perfectly suited his skewed sense of right and wrong. (Another "S’dom-ism" was to steal amounts so small that they were not compensable in court, thus allowing the S'domites to eventually amass a fortune). In fact, I am not at all sure if Lot did not teach S’dom its perversity!
But now, fast forward a bit; Avraham ironically finds himself in a similar situation. Hashem has indeed proclaimed that all this land will belong eternally to him & his descendants. So why should he pay such an exorbitant sum for Machpela? – as much as a million shekels, say Chazal! After all, Avraham was strong - he had recently defeated the mighty 4 Kings almost single-handedly - & he probably could have taken the cave from Efron & his cohorts by force if he so desired. Should he pay – or slay?
This, then, is the ordeal which Avraham must confront.
Avraham chooses to negotiate, to pay the money, even if he may have had good reason not to. Perhaps he believed that, in the final analysis, "you get what you pay for," i.e. the lasting, eternal value of Ma’arat HaMachpela derives from the huge price which was paid for it. Maybe he wanted to send the message – so very topical for our tough times – that things which come cheap, ARE cheap! But that which
requires a great expenditure of money, energy & blood retains a priceless price tag.
I suggest that Avraham’s test, paying high prices for valuable property - and there is no land more valuable than Israel! - continues with us, his children.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.