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True enough. But what is the greatest miracle of all? Certainly, a prime contender for that title would be Kriat Yam Suf, the Splitting of the Sea described in our sedra. Not only did it have spectacular "special effects" – thunder, lightning, a tepestuous east wind – but it produced amazing results: the liberation of Am Yisrael, & the destruction of Egypt’s army.
But something here mystifies me: I understand why it took a miracle to make the water rise into walls on either side of Bnei Yisrael; that defies gravity & so goes starkly against nature. But why did it take a special Divine command & Moshe’s out-stretched arm to return the sea to its former state? That should have been an easy, natural, automatic act, for water always seeks its own level.
In fact, if one looks carefully at the p’sukim dealing with the "rise and fall" of the water, it takes just one verse (14:21) to actually split the sea, but TWO verses (14:27-28) to bring the sea back to "normal!" Why??
I suggest that the Torah is telling us - & Hashem was specifically teaching Bnei Yisrael – that there is no such thing as "normal" in the universe. Whatever events occur in life – despite their seeming adherence to science, despite their consistent regularity – cannot be taken for granted. Do not assume for a moment that just because the sun rose yesterday it will rise again today; do not assume that gravity always "works;" and do not assume that a slave people, weak & dispirited, are incapable of over-throwing the most powerful regime in
the land, & rising to become history’s preeminent nation.
Rav Dessler, in his classic treatise Michtav M’Eliyahu, makes the case that it is the Mahn, & not Kriat Yam Suf, that wins 1st prize in the miracle sweepstakes. Not only because it embodied numerous "mini-miracles" within it – tasting like virtually any food at all, dropping right at one’s doorstep, etc. – but because it fed an entire people for 40 full years. He compares it to fruit – which literally grows on trees! –
which he calls the "modern-day miracle of Mahn."
This Sunday night-Monday is Tu B’Shvat. That’s the perfect time to acknowledge all the great miracles that surround us each day. By appreciating the gifts which Hashem sends our way on a regular basis, we can perhaps discern what may be G-d’s greatest miracle of
all: The return of the People of Israel to the Land of Israel forever.
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.
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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.
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.