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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
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.
