YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- Foundations of Faith
The Torah study is dedicatedto the full recovery of
Asher Shmuel Ben Rivka
We recall that initially the Khazar King was repeatedly visited in his dreams by a voice which told him, "Your intentions are desirable, but your actions are not." Because of this message the king began to search amongst many religions for the true and correct path. Finally, he reached the conclusion that the God of Israel is the true God, the faith of Israel the true faith. God is one, the King of the entire universe is the God of Israel, and He chose Israel from all of the nations and gave them the Torah. They are the Chosen People. This recognition is what caused the king of the Khazars to convert. Furthermore, it prompted him to bring his own people close to the Torah of Israel. He did this with much success, such that after his own secret conversion he drew his entire nation to the faith of Israel, to the point where they were all proselytized, as testified to by the history books.
The Khazar king realized that such a superlative faith, a faith that ascends and climbs to infinite heights, reaching the realm of the impenetrable – such a faith could not be bequeathed to all. It could be granted to but a select few who had merited a unique God-given genius, a genius for prophecy. The King understood that the Jewish people were just such a people. He understood that this was why the Almighty gave the Torah to the Jewish people alone and did not present it to all of humanity.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
26 - 26. This World and the World to Come
27 - 27. The Preeminence of the Land of Israel
28 - 28. Expression of the Land's Preeminence
Load More
This was a ground-shaking concept for the king. He questioned the Rabbi: "What possible difference could their be between one land and another?"
The Rabbi answered: "Every region in the world has its own unique qualities. These qualities are manifest in the regions' vegetation, animal life, and human nature. The qualities of a location, then, make themselves manifest in whatever and whoever subsists in that place. Every region has its own character. The nature of the soil, air, etc. of a given place effect all those who inhabit it. Accordingly, we find that certain animals thrive in one area while they are unable to exist at all in another.
"On a spiritual realm, too, we find that places have varying significance – and the Land of Israel has been graced with a unique spiritual climate, for it is there that the Divine presence rests."
The King of the Khazars said: "I have not heard that the inhabitants of Israel have any advantage over anyone else in the world."
The Rabbi replied. "Of course not, for the appropriate people are absent from the land. Therefore, the land's preeminence is unable to find outward expression. When, however, the Jewish people reside in the land of Israel and behave in the appropriate manner, the land reveals its unique character. The special quality of the land of Israel cannot be manifest without the Jewish people settled thereupon. Similarly, the people of Israel are unable to express their great qualities unless settled in the land of Israel.
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.
