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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham ben-tziyon ben shabtai
Our Sages relate that Rabbi Akiva didn't begin studying Torah until the age of forty. Up until then he hadn't touched a book. Yet, despite his advanced age, he set about studying with perfect faith that he would eventually succeed. With great self discipline and extreme patience he resigned himself to the task. Once, while standing by a brook he noticed a stone which had been worn away by the water. Considering this he said to himself: "If gently flowing water is capable of wearing a hole in a stone, then certainly the Torah which is tougher than iron is capable of penetrating my heart, mere flesh and blood." With the exception of two times a year, on the eve's of Passover and Yom Kippur, he was never heard to say "Let us take leave of the study hall." Because of his stubborn persistence, it was not long before he finally became the great Torah scholar we remember him as today: a respected mentor of twenty four thousand disciples.
And then, suddenly, tragedy struck. In a very short period of time a plague took the lives of all of his students. His entire Torah empire crumbled in an instant. His world, it seemed, had come to an end. What could be more disappointing? How does one recover from such a blow? Usually in times like these a person looses self-confidence, and begins to second question the worth of his efforts. Rabbi Akiva, though, didn't give in. He picked himself up and started all over again. He made a journey to the south where there remained some Torah scholars and began to teach them.
Rabbi Akiva yearned for the redemption of his people. When Bar-Kochba raised the banner of resistance to Roman imperialism in the Land of Israel, Rabbi Akiva joined him. The Rambam (Maimonides) testifies to the fact that "Rabbi Akiva, the great Mishnaic sage, acted as arms-bearer to King Bar-Kochba. He, together with the rest of the sages in his time, believed Bar-Kochba to be the messiah, until he was finally killed as a result of his sins." The realization that Bar Kochba was not the messiah, and the tragedy of the Betar massacre which accompanied it, were more disappointments for Rabbi Akiva. Yet, once again he remained optimistic. He continued to have faith, to hope and yearn for eventual salvation. Most important, he continued studying Torah. When eventually the wicked Roman Empire decreed that the Jewish People be forbidden to study Torah, Rabbi Akiva didn't hesitate defying the decree in public, and would gather large groups of people and fearlessly teach them Torah. In the end he was caught and put into prison. Later he was put to death, and in so doing sanctified G-d's name.
The very life of Rabbi Akiva itself was a sanctification of G-d's holy name. He was one of those rare individuals who managed to see the good in every hardship which befell him. He used to say: "Whatever G-d decrees is for the best." In fact, it was he who, upon seeing a fox coming out of the ruined Holy of Holies, exclaimed "whatever G-d decrees is for the best". While his companions cried out in mourning at the sight of the Temple in ruins, Rabbi Akiva laughed, for he already envisioned the future redemption and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
In trying times the spirit of Rabbi Akiva illuminates the path of the Jewish People. His might and courage, his perfect faith that "this, too, is for the best", support and guide us. The strength of Rabbi Akiva lives on, helping us to overcome all weakness, to turn darkness into light, seeming defeat into triumphant victory.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.