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Simha bat Hana
The haftara’s "heading" dates it as having taken place in the year that King Uziyah died. However, Rashi, based on the Targum, explains that the death refers to his affliction with leprosy, which is compared to death. Divrei Hayamim (II, 26:16-19) tells how Uziyah haughtily entered the Beit Hamikdash to offer incense (he was not a kohen), for which he was punished with leprosy. Also, the navi, Amos, apparently made his last recorded prophecy at that time. He began to prophesy two years before "the earthquake" (Amos 1:1) and his last prophecy mentions the earthquake. Finally, the prophecy of our haftara, including the words, "the pillars of the doorposts swayed from the noise of the caller, and the house was filled with smoke" (Yeshaya 6:4) took place on the day of the earthquake (Seder Rabba 20).
This earthquake made a deep impression on the mindset of generations of Jerusalemites. Zecharia, a navi during the Persian period, hundreds of years later, used it to describe the events of the day of the future geula. "On that day, My feet will stand on the Mount of Olives … the mountain will be split … and you will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uziyah" (Zecharia 14: 4-5). It is interesting that both Amos and Yeshaya, in the context of discussing the earthquake, also mention another natural calamity- great waves of sea water that crash into the coast, washing out places of inhabitation (see Yeshaya 5:8 and Amos (5: 25-30).
Our parasha’s revelation at Har Sinai took place in the context of the giving of the Torah. This raised Bnei Yisrael and, as a result, the whole world to a new spiritual level and presented us with the challenge to improve the world by having it accept Divine Dominion. The Ten Commandments light the way for a Jew no matter where he goes. Yeshaya, whose revelation was a continuation of that at Sinai, spoke of world peace, with Yerushalayim serving as the spiritual center of a united world. Amos completed his prophecy with a call for social morality, a call that mankind has not yet succeeded in implementing.
We are not on the level to understand how Hashem runs His world and are still shocked by the terrible tragedy that struck the shores of the Indian Ocean. With the proper humility appropriate for these times, we pray for the renewal of prophecy and improvement of the world, based on Divine Revelations that have enriched the world, from the giving of the Ten Commandments on.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
