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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Beha'alotcha
While most of the occasions are clear, the "happy day" is not. It is hard to say that it is referring to holidays because those are mentioned immediately thereafter. There are midrashim that attribute it to Yom Kippur, as we are happy to receive atonement, or Shabbat, which precedes the moadim whenever these days are discussed together (Parashat Emor and Parashat Pinchas). While these are extremely important days, we do not usually find the word simcha in their context.
The Netziv and Meshech Chochma say that it refers to the inaugurations of the Temples, whether it be the Mishkan in the desert or the dedications of the Batei Hamikdash. This is, of course, a very joyous occasion, and we do find that the gemara (Taanit 26b) says that the pasuk about Shlomo’s "day of his marriage and the day of the happiness of his heart" (Shir Hashirim 3:11) refers to the giving of the Torah and the building of the Beit Hamikdash, respectively.
The Ibn Ezra presents a very logical explanation. The day of joy is the day of victory in battle. Although the Netziv argues that we never find religious or political leaders in Tanach calling "days of happiness" after successful battle, the Ibn Ezra pointed out that we do find simcha in Tanach regarding Purim and the seven days of celebration that King Chizkiyahu called when the people of Yerushalayim were saved from Sancheriv’s troops (Divrei Hayamim II:30:23).
According to the Ibn Ezra, the juxtaposition works out beautifully. The pasuk just described blowing beseeching teruot with the trumpets before the war. The next pasuk goes on to mention the blowing of celebratory tekiot after the victory, which was aided by the trumpets ("… and you will be remembered before Hashem your Lord and you will be saved from your enemies" (Bamidbar 10:9).
The Chizkuni says that Hashem remembers, when Bnei Yisrael blow at the time of trouble, that they also blow when bringing sacrifices on holidays. According to the Ibn Ezra’s approach, this message rings especially clearly. Hashem realizes when we turn at the time of trouble that we will not forget, when we are successful, to thank Hashem for his Divine Providence that made the salvation possible (hopefully, this is the case). This, of course, is a lesson to remember in all generations, especially the last couple of generations, which have seen more successes in battle than we have seen in millennia.
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.
