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Is the Korban Pesach a personal or communal sacrifice?
On the one hand, it exhibits signs of a personal sacrifice: each individual brings his own sacrifice, as opposed to a communal sacrifice, in which there is one sacrifice for the entire people.
On the other hand, a personal sacrifice is brought at any time one chooses. In this case, there is one set time for everyone.
Maimonides, in his introduction to the Mishnayot of Kodshim, writes that sacrifices of Olat Re’eya and Shlamim, which are brought for Shalosh Regalim are personal sacrifices, since each individual makes his own sacrifice; on the other hand, the Korban Pesach is a communal sacrifice since it is brought simultaneously by all, and the time is so significant that even if it falls on Shabbat, it overrides Shabbat and the sacrifice must be made on that day. (This is true even if the entire public is impure.)
At the same time, there is an aspect here of a personal sacrifice, since each individual brings his own. For this reason, Maimonides called the Korban Pesach a personal sacrifice that is commensurate to a communal sacrifice.
In fact, the first time in the Torah that Am Yisrael is referred to as "Klal" is in the case of the Korban Pesach. First, is Adat Yisrael: "and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at dusk.(Shemot 12, 6)" For this reason it was important that every individual be a partner to the Korban, and that even the impure joined and asked to be partners and, therefore, accepted the laws of Pesach Sheni.
The first Korban Kahal Yisrael was specifically brought in this manner. On the one hand, each individual brings his own sacrifice, as does each family (and later each group on the Temple Mount.) On the other hand, they all bring the sacrifice at the same time and in the same manner.
This sacrifice is complete, with all its parts. It may not be cut. (According to Maimonides, even the thigh tendon is not removed.) This sacrifice represents the unity of Klal Yisrael, and therefore it must be whole.
Every household becomes a miniature Temple: blood on the side-posts and the lintel, and consuming the sacrifice within the home:
"And they shall take of the blood, and put it on the two side-posts and on the lintel, upon the houses wherein they shall eat it." (Shemot 12, 7)
Klal Yisrael does not forget the private home of each individual, the special home of every Jew; yet, at the same time, we must remember that each Jew’s greatness emanates from belonging to the entire congregation of Israel. The Klal does not ignore the individual, but each individual understands that he draws his strength from the Klal.
There is a wondrous connection in the building of Am Yisrael. Each individual and each family is in his own home, but they are actually together, as one. There is, at times, the unity of the communal sacrifice, when sacrifices are brought for the entire tzibbur. However, there is also a unique aspect to the joint evolution of this Kahal, even though seemingly each family is on its own.
We must internalize this important cornerstone of Jewish life, when we do not have the Temple, during our holidays and our prayers. Although the private celebrations take place in every home and every synagogue separately, Klal Yisrael celebrates together. While we each pray from our private Siddur and in our regular synagogue, Klal Yisrael prays uniformly (despite some minor variations), and at uniform times.
The most significant access to our Creator is always through the Klal. Even when the individual turns to his Creator, it is as part of the tzibbur.
And thus wrote Maran Harav Kook (Orot Yisrael, 2, 3. Shmone Kvatzim):
"The soul of each Jew originates in the Life-Source of the universe via the conduit of the national collective, and the collective provides soul to the individuals."
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts