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Beit Midrash
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Yakov is troubled by the brothers’ action, though he never actually condemns the attack itself. He rather fears a retaliation by his neighbors, and questions if he could survive that. The brothers’ respond sharply but succinctly: "Shall we treat our sister as a harlot?!"
At the end of his life, when dispensing brachot, Yakov will criticize Shimon and Levi for what they did. Yet Hashem – from whom all blessings ultimately flow – repudiates Yakov’s words when (in parshat Ekev) He says about shevet Levi: "They have no specific portion in the Land, for Hashem is their portion!"
What is the basis for these two opposing views?
If Yakov is merely an individual, concerned solely for the immediate impact upon his present situation, then his reaction to these events is quite understandable. But if he is more than that - if he is the leader of a NATION - then Shechem’s act constitutes no less than an act of war, an affront not only to him, but to the entire Jewish people.
Earlier (32:8), the Torah confirms Yakov’s elevated status. Esav approaches and the pasuk says, "Yakov divided the nation that was with him." And that is also why the brothers say (34:7): "An outrage has happened in Israel; such a thing cannot be done!"
Dina was not just Yakov’s daughter; she was a princess of Israel. Attacking her was attacking all of Am Yisrael, no less than kidnapping and raping Queen Elizabeth would be a crime against all of England.
And that is how we must view terrorism. The killings in Paris were against the entirety of France and its pronounced world-view of "liberty, fraternity and brotherhood" – something that Islam abhors. Islamists are against all individual liberties - such as press, speech or religion; and they detest and reject brotherhood with "infidels." (Quick quiz: How many churches and synagogues are there in Saudi Arabia?!)
And when a Jew is struck, G-d forbid – in Israel or abroad – the attack is on the collective Jewish nation, on everything we stand for, and, in the final analysis, against G-d Himself. It threatens all of us; our way of life and our life itself. And so our reaction - and that of any country that wants to survive Islam's war on humanity - must be swift, merciless, widespread and uncompromising.
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.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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.
