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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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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
