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Beit Midrash
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Historical events in the world and especially in Am Yisrael have always included a merging of a divine plan and the decisions of people based on free will.
The Jewish calendar of contemporary times also shows expressions of such a merging. The Jewish Nation has incorporated into the period between Pesach and Shavuot (holidays mandated by Torah law) the commemoratory days of Yom Hashoa and Yom Hazikaron L’chayalei Tzahal and celebratory days of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Lag Ba’omer, and Yom Yerushalayim, all of the latter having been set by the nation through its representatives. (We will not delve here into the character of each day.) We cannot deny that there is a disagreement within the community of believers whether the choice of these days should have significance in the daily public and private service of Hashem.
By taking a look at the historical development at the time of the formation of our nation, we will gain insight on the matter. Moshe was first involved in the physical liberation from the enslavement in Egypt. The oppression was very harsh and painful from an individual perspective. However, Moshe was not satisfied with solving the problems on an individual basis, but he was dedicated to bringing about a national liberation. The Exodus was accomplished when the nation was able to march out of Egypt in national strength (see Shemot 14:8 – "b’yad rama" is a term that can only capture a national movement, not a mass of individuals), as the nation was indeed finally free.
On the other hand, it is clear that without the giving of the Torah, the formative event which we celebrate on Shavuot, there is not national significance for us as the Nation of Israel. As Rav Saadia Gaon, said that our national status stems specifically from the Torah. Walking through the desert between Pesach and Shavuot was preparatory for the completion of the process, which occurred at Sinai.
A similar historical process transpired some 400 years later at the time of David and Shlomo, founders of the first organized State of Israel. First David declared independence. When he conquered the city of Yevus and turned into the City of David, he declared the end of the Philistine dominance. First Jerusalem was established as a political entity, and only later did it become the eternal spiritual capital of Am Yisrael, which began with the bringing of the Holy Ark to the city (Shmuel II, 6).
Shlomo also proceeded along this model. For 20 years he built the Beit Hamikdash and the greater capital city of Yerushalayim. This was the physical and political development. Only afterward did he bring the Holy Ark into the Holy of Holies in which the Divine Presence dwelled along with the special cloud and fire from the Heavens, as occurred at Sinai. After the Pesach-like (physical) experience, they came to a Shavuot-like (spiritual) experience.
Within the Jewish religious community, the debate has been raging: what precedes what? Can the national rebuilding occur without it being directly tied to Torah? Can the physical building come before the spiritual? Maybe first there has to be a full spiritual reawakening and then a national one? If we learn from the precedents of the Exodus and the founding of the Davidic kingdom, the answer is clear.
Let us pray that the whole nation will join in standing together as one person and with one heart and declaring: "We shall do, and we shall hear."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
