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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Simha bat Hana
This, however, is not true of other nations. They have never been infused with the true light of faith in the God of Israel - the eternal God of creation.
The difference between Israel's faith and that of other nations is like the difference between an actual person and a statue. True, a highly skilled artist can carve and paint a statue so that it looks like an actual living human being, to the point where the untrained eye cannot discern between it and an actual person. A truly talented artist is capable of fashioning all of the body parts including the face with its eyes, ears, nose and mouth. He can even make an expression of joy on the face of the statue so that it appears to be happy. It would be difficult for an observer to tell if it is a statue or a real person unless he were to approach and touch it. After realizing the truth, he would say, "Wow, it looks so much like a real person even though it is not." Even though on the outside everything appears to be identical, in truth everything is different. One is endowed with a living soul while the other is not. There is a great divide between them, and there is no grounds for comparison.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
31 - 31. Regarding the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
32 - 32. Israel's Plight in the Exile
33 - 33. God's Covenants with the Jewish People
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This was not the case, however, with the people of Israel. The Divine Presence revealed itself before them, and they enjoyed prophecy, and when they sinned they were visited with supernatural retribution - the earth opened up and swallowed the iniquitous. All understood that the hand of God was at work and that He extends His Divine providence over Israel.
Any other nation, when its heart (i.e., the house of worship toward which its people direct their prayers) is struck, no significant change effects them. The Jewish people, however, are different. When their Holy Temple was destroyed, they too were ruined in all respects. Similarly, when the Temple is rebuilt, when the heart returns to its proper place and functions with full strength, the Jewish people will be healed. Israel's physical existence is inextricably bound up with its spiritual state. The historical events which befall the Jewish people make it clear that they are God's people. The Almighty does not reveal Himself to any other nation. The Jews, however, are God's own people and He guides them forward even until this very day.
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
