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When the nation of Israel finally experiences complete redemption, becoming elevated and exalted in the eyes of all, the purpose of their long and difficult exile will become evident. Why the Jews suffered more than any other nation. Why they were made to be the object of ridicule and mockery to the point where the gentiles disparaged them, saying, "How can you claim to be closer to God than the other nations when we all are witness to your low and downtrodden state. God protects and watches over those whom He cares for. You, however, are persecuted and afflicted by suffering more than any other nation!"
In the future, everything will become understood. It will be made clear that the Jewish people's suffering was not do to their inferiority, but the result of their preeminence.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
33 - 33. God's Covenants with the Jewish People
34 - 34. The Jewish People's Extensive Suffering
35 - 36. Well-balanced Character Traits
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In other words, the suffering experienced by Israel is not merely because of its own iniquities; rather, Israel bears the sins of the entire world. Israel is the source of sickness and the source of health on behalf of all bodily organs. The heart is sensitive and vulnerable. The slightest sense of worry, sorrow, affection, enmity, or fear immediately effects the heart; any quick movement or damage to one of the organs effects the heart. Hence, the heart, because of its extreme sensitivity, must maintain complete health. If this is not the case, it cannot function. It cannot suffer a wound or bruise like other organs. The heart is the source of health because all of the other organs are dependent upon it, and therefore it is also the source of sickness.
This is true of Israel among the nations. Israel suffers more than any other nation because it bears the iniquities of everybody else. Israel is responsible. Israel is the heart. Therefore, God says, "Only you do I know of all the families of the earth, therefore I charge you with all of your iniquities."
Still, the Almighty does not detain the sins of Israel allowing them to add up and thus result in complete destruction. This is what He did to the Amorites, as it is written, "For He did not repay the iniquity of the Amorite until now." He let their sins accumulate to the point where He was able to repay them by destroying them completely. This, however is not the case with Israel; the Almighty forgives the sins of His nations such that they not over accumulate.
To the above, the King of the Khazars responds: "Therefore, we suffer while the rest of the world enjoys respite, but these pains strengthen our faith. They serve to refine the pure ones among us and to remove the wicked from our midst. This is what allows Divinity to attach itself to the world. This is the ultimate purpose of creation - that it be attached to Divinity - and it is brought about via those who are worthy of such, the people of Israel. It is accomplished via Israel's great spiritual leaders, the choicest individuals, the pietists and the prophets."
In sum, the definition of Israel as heart of the nations confirms, on the one hand, Israel's preeminence, on the other, Israel's connection to the nations of the world.
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The biblical quotes in the above article were taken from The Jerusalem Bible (Koren).
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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.
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.
