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Beit Midrash
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Our parasha starts innocuously, with Yaakov back in his father’s land, and, as Rashi (bid. 2) points out, he desired to live in tranquility. Yaakov had gone through enough: fleeing his brother, hard work for and trickery from his father-in-law, danger from the abductors of his daughter. With these external threats over, he hoped for a smooth life. However, rest was not the lot of Yaakov, who, more than any other person, symbolizes the nation that bears his name. At this time, an episode of discord between his sons began to unfold, revealing great difficulties until the end of Sefer Bereishit. This would end with the fulfillment of the prophecy to Avraham: "Your offspring will be strangers in a land not theirs, and they will subjugate and afflict them for 400 years" (ibid. 15:13). Chazal (Bereishit Rabba 4:3) poignantly attached the following pasuk to this idea: "I did not have tranquility, and was not quiet, and I did not rest, and agitation came" (Iyov 3:26). The lack of: tranquility – refers to problems with Eisav; quiet – Lavan; rest – Dina; agitation – Yosef.
Certainly the Divine Hand that decreed exile in Egypt was the deciding factor, but the mechanism through which this all happened is "blamed" by Chazal on Yaakov, for the shortcoming of asking to live in tranquility. People tend to notice the dangers from the outside and ignore those from within, which is a dangerous mistake. Chazal (Bereishit Rabba 4:6) tell us that there were great similarities between the experiences of Yaakov and Yosef, especially that they were both hated by a brother. This teaches us the great danger of hatred, even if one is not an evil person like Eisav but an upstanding one like Yosef’s brothers, who nevertheless had enmity towards their own brother. Had Yaakov been as vigilant with the matter as he was with Lavan, he could have "put out the fire" before it grew out of proportion. The exile decreed upon Avraham needed to transpire somehow, but not in the tragic way it did. It was because Yaakov, hoping for tranquility, lowered his guard.
This is a lesson for all generations. We want a respite from our difficulties and are less vigilant when independent in our own Land. After all that our nation has undergone, in the exile and in Israel, we crave for rest. We have to remember, though, that not only Eisav and Lavan are dangerous. The destructive forces from within are also dangerous. The best chance to merit tranquility is to not ask to for tranquility. We must remain careful and make sure that the independence we merited is used to raise our ethical and spiritual level. Then we can enjoy the fruits of the labor of generations.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
