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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham ben-tziyon ben shabtai
2. Yitzchak and Ishmael
3. 'Akedat Yitzchak' - The Binding of Yitzchak
Nature of Kindness
Our great forefather Avraham was a man of many attributes, one of which is described with additional emphasis - kindness. Avraham did not perform his acts of kindness because he was commanded to, or because he considered it the correct thing to do. Avraham was kind because that was his nature. This nature was so extreme in him that when Avraham was not performing an act of kindness he felt uncomfortable. Avraham was constantly on the lookout for further possibilities of bestowing kindness on his fellow man, therefore, even at midday and in pain, he sat impatiently at the entrance of his tent waiting for visitors. Avraham's kind nature, would not allow him to hear of the plan to destroy the people of Sodom - as bad as they might have been - without trying to save them.
Yitzchak and Ishmael
Yitzchak (Isaac) and Ishmael were quarreling. Sarah tells us that the quarrel is about their inheritance. Ishmael, as the firstborn, claims an additional benefit of Avraham's possessions, and most important - the rights to the Land of Israel. This claim causes Sarah to demand Avraham, "Expel this woman and her son"(Ishmael and his mother). Avraham found expelling them contradictory to his nature. At this point God intervenes and instructs Avraham: "All you are told by Sarah - do".
God's instruction expresses a clear assignment of duties: Yitzchak is to follow Avraham's way of life. His job is to continue the Godly plan in this world. Ishmael's job is to help Yitzchak successfully accomplish his obligation. When Ishmael misunderstands his duty and demands equal rights, there is no choice but - "Expel this woman and her son".
Nowadays, the situation has not changed in the least. Our kind nature causes us great difficulties when we need, once again, to "Expel this woman and her son". Even so, it has to be clear to us that whenever Ishmael demands rights to Avraham's inheritance of the Holy Land, we are obliged to follow Sarah's instruction.
'Akedat Yitzchak' - The Binding of Isaac
Throughout the generations we have witnessed many people who sacrificed all, so as to accomplish a dream or idea, or reach a certain thing they believed in. What is so great about Akeda? What was so impressive in Avrahams sacrifice?
The answer rests in two important differences between the Akeda and all other sacrifices.
The Significance of the Akeda
The people who made sacrifices throughout the generations, made them for the sake of their belief. The Akeda demanded of Avraham a sacrifice that opposed not only his nature but also his whole way of life. Avraham was asked to sacrifice his dearest son while trampling his most basic instinct, kindness. This act was especially difficult for Avraham; therefore, he is cited as having overcome himself.
The Importance of Yitzchak to Avraham
Yitzchak was far more than a son to Avraham. Yitzchak was the only promise Avraham had for the continuation of his spiritual way of life - A way he built up during more than a hundred years and taught to Yitzchak. This undertaking was now in danger of extinction. At the Akeda Avraham was asked to sacrifice not only his only son but also to endanger the continuation of the unique belief he had developed all his life.
Avraham not only performs his duty to perfection, but also makes an extra effort to do it efficiently and happily. Avraham rises himself early, personally saddles his donkey, and cops the wood. He performs all the duties himself in the hope that the assignment will be altered.
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.
