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Beit Midrash
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We can see this sense of appreciation all throughout the Hagada: In the song Dayenu, when we catalogue all the various steps from slavery to redemption; in Tefilot such as Hallel, or Hodu L’Hashem Ki Tov - "Praise G-d for He is good"; or essentially ALL the songs in the closing section of the Seder. This sentiment is perhaps best summed when we raise our glass in a toast to the Almighty (L’fichach….") and we say:
"It is our duty to thank, praise, laud, glorify, exalt, honor, bless, raise high and acclaim the One who performed all these miracles for our ancestors, and for us."
And yet, I wonder: If G-d loves us so much, why did we have to wander through the desert for 40 years? Why were we not taken directly from Egypt into Israel? Hadn’t we suffered enough during more than a century of cruel oppression? Didn’t the 10 Plagues convince us that
Hashem takes extra special care of us, and loves us?
Rav Shimshon Refael Hirsch brilliantly addresses this issue: True, he says, the Exodus undeniably demonstrated to the people that
G-d protects us in times of crisis. But what about in our day-to-day existence? Is Hashem with us then, too?
In a way, says Rav Hirsch, this is a much more crucial area. For if Man is left alone to provide sustenance for his family, he will never be satisfied, never be satiated. He will always worry, "Do I have enough for today, and also tomorrow? And what about the needs of my children, and my grandchildren? How can I vouchsafe THEIR future, too?" Under this constant pressure, Man would be trapped in a "wilderness of social competition" lasting far beyond just 40 years, an endless anxiety that would occupy most of his time & energy.
Therefore, G-d led His people into the desert, a harsh environment that offered no opportunity for employment or self-sufficiency. There, G-d provided us with Manna from heaven each day, training us over the course of 4 decades to rely on Him, and be secure in the knowledge that even when we did not know what tomorrow will bring – a premise symbolized by the Mahn, which, after all, lasted for only 1 day – we could be confident He would provide for us & be our faithful partner in parnasa.
The trust this built up in us filled us with wonder, even as we wandered, and sustained us then - and now.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
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.
