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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
With the help of which mechanisms or circumstances were Bnei Yisrael so successful in this battle? How do we reconcile the great success with the description in Tehillim, which includes several p’sukim depicting impending doom? Let us look at a few of the p’sukim: "Hashem, You have abandoned us, hit us, and been angry at us; hold back Your anger. You have made the land quake and cracked it. Fix its fractures for it has fallen … Indeed, You Hashem have abandoned us, and You have not gone out with our armies" (Tehillim 60:3-4, 12).
On the other hand, there are p’sukim of prayer and thanksgiving. "You have given those who fear You a nes (banner, miracle?) to wave … In order to rescue Your dear ones, may Your right hand save and answer me. Give us assistance from the enemy, and the salvation done by people is nothing. With Hashem shall we make successful battle, and He will destroy our enemies (ibid. 6-7, 13-14).
Let us suggest an explanation to the background of the events to which David responded. The Aramians/Syrians of the time threatened the future of the Israelite Kingdom. This tested not just the Jew’s military strength but also their social fabric, specifically the extent to which the tribes that descended from Rachel and from Leah could work together in support of King David. The p’sukim mention areas that David passed through on the way to Aram (presently, the southern Golan Heights). Shechem was the capital of the Shomron and belonged to the sons of Yosef, and they sent troops along with David. He continued to Sukkot and then to Gilad, where members of Menashe joined, along with Gad, Reuven, Binyamin, and Yehuda, who lived in the area. There was a rare moment of great unity.
As this army was climbing the Golan Heights, a strong earthquake hit the region (thus, we are understanding pasuk 4 literally), with all its frightful noise and fracturing of the land. At first there was a fear that this was a sign of Hashem’s anger at the Israelite army and war effort, and this explains the p’sukim of despair and abandonment. They used the opportunity to pray to Hashem for His good will.
In fact, the earthquake caused panic among the encampment of Aram, whose forces were dependent on horses-drawn carriages. The horses were the first to sense the earthquake and began to react hysterically. The fissures that the earthquake caused made it difficult for the carriages to move around. Upon realizing their sudden advantage, David’s foot-soldiers attacked the enemy, many of whom began to flee. This was the miracle David referred to in the aforementioned mizmor.
Let us join together in unity and peace at this time. In this merit, may Hashem hear our prayers and smite our enemies.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
