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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Simha bat Hana
Let us start with the first question.The Ibn Ezra says that Hashem wanted to keep the events of that Shabbat a secret. The Ohr Hachayim explains further that Hashem wanted Bnei Yisrael to find out about Shabbat’s special status in regard to the man directly from Hashem. But why is that important?
The Torah tells of many miracles that took place over the years. Almost all of the miracles were short-lived, so that they were glitches in the course of nature, not changes in nature. The man was a rare exception, and to highlight this fact, the Torah stressed from the outset that the miracle of man would last for 40 years in the Israelite encampment. One could thus view the falling of the man as a mini-creation of sorts. This was a proper opportunity to have Bnei Yisrael experience on some level the place of Shabbat in creation. On the original Shabbat, the whole cosmos must have experienced some profound kedusha, when creation ceased, and its impact echoes on more subtly ever since. So too, Hashem put into the creation of the "natural phenomenon" of man that it would give expression to the uniqueness of the "rest" on Shabbat by the double portion followed by the absence of man.
Had Bnei Yisrael been taught the laws of Shabbat and man in advance, they might have seen the double portion on Friday as a technical provision to facilitate the halachic observance of Shabbat. If our thesis is correct, Hashem wanted the miracle within a miracle of double portions and no portions of man to serve as evidence that Shabbat is an integral part of creation, even later mini-creations. It thus also served as a reminder of the place of the original Shabbat of creation. This gives added meaning to Rashi on Bereishit 2:3, describing the original Shabbat, saying that Hashem sanctified Shabbat through the man. Rashi is not just mentioning a historical curiosity, but tells how a new nation, just receiving the mitzva of Shabbat, experienced Shabbat’s sanctity as the crown of creations, old and new.
May we be zocheh to experience Shabbat to the fullest extent we can.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts