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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Simha bat Hana
The Gerrer Rebbe, author of the Sefat Emet found ways to connect the ideas. (Let us note this year, the 100th anniversary of his death, that he was an unusually splendid man, both personally and as a public leader. For example, he received no financial compensation from his position, supporting himself from a private business). The greater part of our parasha presents the Torah’s very logical rules of civil law. Yet the Torah wants to stress that their origin is Sinai. We do not accept the laws because of their legal and moral logic, but because Hashem presented them at Sinai. The Divine commandment must come before human intellect, as the pasuk hints, "before them." Even after Moshe taught the Torah’s reasons, the commandment still had priority.
The Sefat Emet taught other lessons in this context. When Bnei Yisrael said: "We will do and hear" they were expressing their contentment to fulfill mitzvot without understanding. Moshe thought that it thus might be better not to teach them the reasons. But Hashem told him that because of their willingness, they deserved to know the reasons as well. Furthermore, in the merit of "we will do and hear" they were given the possibility to grasp the Torah’s hidden secrets. The reasons together with the letters of the Torah connect the revealed Torah to its inner meanings.
The Gerrer Rebbe ends off with a fascinating idea. Serving Hashem like a servant, who follows orders, is the correct approach during the week. However, on Shabbat, Bnei Yisrael reach a level that they can serve Hashem like a son. A prince is allowed to search the storehouses of the king’s treasures. So too, we can search for reasons behind the Torah. When one does so, he is liable to bring upon himself an internal battle, as, at times, he will find things that he cannot understand. The setting of Shabbat, a Shabbat of peace, of harmony, of rest, when we are like sons, is the appropriate time to search. It is a time for sons to sit around their father’s table and enjoy.
Let us pray that we will merit serving Hashem both as servants and as sons, and thereby experience the closeness to Him that our forefathers did at Sinai, where the laws we study were given.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.