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Beit Midrash
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The word sheva (seven) has an extremely prominent place in Paroh’s dreams. There were two sets of seven cows and two sets of seven stalks. Each time, one set looked healthy and the other looked weak (Bereishit 41:2-7). In Yosef’s interpretation of the dream (ibid. 26-30), the seven objects turn into seven years. Additionally, the same letters are used for another word – sava (plenty). The Egyptians had the ability to survive the subsequent years of famine and turn them into sava, by selling their supplies at great profit. However, this depended on their readiness to believe and act on Yosef’s instructions, which were introduced by Yosef’s invoking Hashem’s Name before Paroh.
Rav Kook, in his sermons, explained in great depth, the connection between the dispute between Yosef and his brothers and the miracle of Chanuka. We will just mention the part of his thesis that is connected to the "seventh year."
Every seven years, Bnei Yisrael are commanded to believe in Hashem that the flow of blessing that was given in the sixth year will suffice for the following, seventh year (shnat hasheva). Furthermore, the concepts of sava and lacking take on different significance in the year of sheva. The extra involvement in spirituality during this year corresponds to such involvement during the seventh day of the week. The willingness to relinquish the profits of that day serves as a proclamation of a different set of priorities, in which the pinnacle is spiritual values rather than stocks and commodities.
In order for the laws of Shemitta to exist on the level of Torah law, Bnei Yisrael have to be inhabiting their Land according to their tribal plots. In other words, a condition for this high level is internal peace, responsibility of one for the other, and inter-fraternal tranquility.
Rabbis in Midrash
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
