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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.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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