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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Three Weeks
- The Ninth of Av
This key word "Eicha" – said by Navi Yirmiyahu in his lament which we read on Tisha B’Av – was first used by Moshe in our Sedra this week. In fact, the pasuk with this word is read in the unique Eicha tune. What is the connection between the two?
Moshe begins his elaborate, final sermon to his people, in the last year of his life, in Parshat Devarim. He starts by reviewing the various places where the nation stopped on its ill-fated, tragically-truncated journey to Israel. Yet wasn’t this already covered in last week’s Sedra of Masei – Journeys? Why does Moshe now repeat the stops?
Chazal suggest that Moshe is subtly rebuking the people. Though this is a new generation that did not commit the sin of the Spies, Moshe wants to be sure that they’ve learned their lesson and will not repeat their elders’ mistakes. By retracing the steps Am Yisrael took in the desert, Moshe is sending the message that sin, and failure, is evolutionary, not revolutionary. It comes incrementally, step by step, little by little. It is a process that begins somewhat innocuously, creeping ever forward, until it ultimately overwhelms us. And if we do not stop the
process somehow, somewhere along the way, it will become so pervasive that we will be powerless to prevent it.
That is precisely "Eicha-how" calamity operates.
This is also Yirmiyahu’s message to us. "Al eyleh ani bochi’a," he laments, "about these I cry." "These" refer to ALL the tragedies we have endured in our nation's history. It begins with the very first critical sin we committed, on the "first" Tisha B’Av. We cried because we were afraid to follow G-d’s directive to inhabit Eretz Yisrael. That unappreciation of just how vital Israel is to our existence would eventually lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Bet HaMikdash and all the manifold problems we faced - and still face - including pogroms, Inquisitions, Shoa and the vicious terror campaign being waged against us.
The antidote seems clear: Reverse the "original sin." Come home to Israel, cherish all it stands for, move closer to Hashem and work to rebuild our homeland. In doing so, we will turn the tears of pain into tears of joy. Eicha; that is how it is done.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
