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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Moshe Rabbeinu stood on the threshold of the Promised Land at the end of the long trek. A lot had changed. A new generation had replaced the one that left Egypt, and they were ready to complete the historical process that the Exodus started. What would they learn from the past? Moshe reviewed with them, with mere hints, but it was enough.
The first pasuk on the matter: "They travelled from Pi Hachirot, and they passed in the midst of the sea to the desert" (ibid. 8). It is written without details or apparent emotion. But it hints at such a wondrous event, which turned the world of nature on its head. Afterward, they move on to the desert, which our haftara describes so poignantly as a scary and dangerous place (Yirmiya 2:6). After the large step forward, events crop up from every angle in what looks like an artificial manner.
Hashem did not lead the nation by the coastal road, despite and actually because it was too close (Shemot 13:17). The voyage from Egypt to the Promised Land cannot appear close. It is not just a geographic move; it is a change in mindset. The Land of Canaan, which turns into the Land of Israel, must be a total contrast to the land and the culture of Egypt. The route has to change and instead of a straight line, they have to go through the sea to the desert.
In the desert, a new generation blossoms, one which is disconnected from the culture and abominations of Egypt. Through the ups and downs and steps forward and backward in the desert, the process of Exodus is completed. 42 segments of the journey all dedicated to finishing the Exodus and preparing to enter the Land.
While the Torah portion focuses on the above elements, the haftara, set for the Three Weeks, deals with the collapse of the nation, culminating in the exodus from Yerushalayim. The prophet painfully rebukes the people for forgetting that they had left Egypt for good: "What interest do you have in the way to Egypt and Assyria?" (based on Yirmiya 2:18).
May it be His will that these two important historical stations – leaving Egypt and leaving Yerushalayim – can serve for us as well as a roadmap to deal with the changing challenges that we experience in our time. Chazak chazak v’nitchazeik!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
