YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- Foundations of Faith
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
simha bat hana
"I see," said the King, "that the guarantees of an afterlife made by other religions are richer and more bountiful than yours. These faiths lay greater emphasis upon reward in the World to Come than do the Jews."
To this the Rabbi responded, saying, "However all their rewards purportedly take place only after death; there is no benefit during one's lifetime, nor is there any indication in this lifetime of the future reward.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
23 - 23. Why Was Torah Given to Israel Alone?
24 - 24. The Significance of the World to Come
25 - 25. The World to Come – Further Clarification
Load More
The Rabbi asked: "But what would you say about someone who was witness to these great angelic spectacles through prophetic experience? Someone who had seen with his own eyes the awesome event of the Divine revelation at Mount Sinai and had heard for himself the word of God?"
The King of the Khazars answered: "Such a person would unquestionably desire for his soul to be constantly separate from his physical senses so that it could continuously bask in this holy light. I must therefore conclude that such a person would desire death."
The Rabbi said: "The guarantees of reward in our religion are not of the sort that it is impossible to prove; they are not related to an afterlife. It does not say in our Torah that 'if you will perform this commandment, I will bring you gladness and pleasure after death.' The guarantees of reward in Judaism are our bonding to Divinity, here in this world, through prophecy and near-prophecy, and the attachment of Divinity to our people with grandeur, glory, and wonders. God says to Israel, 'You will be a nation to Me, and I will be a God to you, and I will lead you (Leviticus 26:12). Some of you will stand before Me, and some will ascend to the heavens.' This refers to the prophets who used to roam amongst the angels. The angels referred to them as 'sons of man' so that they would be able to distinguish them from the angels all around. Scripture also states that angels will roam amongst you, and you will see them – sometimes only one, sometimes many at a time, in camps. They will protect you and fight for you, as it says regarding Jacob, 'He encountered angels. When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp." He named the place Twin Camps'" (Genesis 32:3).
In this world we are called upon to cling to the Divine Presence, hear the word of God, see Divine visions, and lead a transcendent existence. The World to Come is the natural continuation of the sublime existence which we already lead in this world.
---------
Postscript: In the above article, some of what appears to be the dialog of Rabbi Judah Halevi's The Kuzari has in fact been added by Rabbi Melamed for purposes of clarity and explication.
Much of the translation of The Kuzari in the above article is taken from N. Daniel Korobkin's translation of The Kuzari (Jason Aaronson Inc.).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
