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Beit Midrash
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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.
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.
