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The structure of seven days followed by a critical eighth day is one that we find in several places in the Torah. We have seven days leading up to the brit mila on day eight. Shemini Atzeret is celebrated after seven days of Sukkot. The holiday of Shavuot is in the beginning of the eighth week after the seven weeks of sefira. We would also like to connect this to the Shemitta year. After seven years of the Shemitta cycle are repeated seven times, the Torah calls for the special year of Yovel.
Let us return to the Seven Days of Miluim. Just as the world was created in six days plus the seventh day of Shabbat, which completed creation, so too the Mishkan and the kohanim were prepared during seven days. So too, during six years of work and a seventh of sanctification, a parallel cycle is set. A landowner sanctifies himself by relinquishing his full rights of ownership, rights to debts, and involvement in his regular material-based lifestyle.
Let us try to take a deeper look at the concept of kedusha, which we usually translate as sanctity. While the main focus is usually on something that is separated from others, in our parasha we see another focus. The offerings from the special ram that were brought during the miluim are said to be sanctified, which is accompanied with the description of the process of the kohen taking these animal parts in his hands and raising and waving them (Shemot 29:24-27). A similar process is found in regard to Aharon’s raising and waving of the Levi’im, who needed to be sanctified (Bamidbar 8:11-15).
This is not a simple physical act. Rather, lifting and waving are representative of the spiritual uplifting that must accompany sanctification, whether it has to with the Mishkan or the sanctity of Shemitta. We want a Mikdash that will expose us to kedusha and inspire us towards our own kedusha. (The korbanot have a different nature, of connecting and drawing closer, but that is for a discussion on a different occasion.) We want to make use of the Shemitta experiences, which enable us to also separate ourselves from simple physicality. May we merit, with the help of everything that is kadosh within Torah and mitzvot, to be elevated ourselves.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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.
