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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
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Why was she punished so harshly? When a small part of a primitive tool is bent out of shape, the utensil is usually still fully functional. However, when a small part in a complex instrument, in which each part has a special function, is damaged, the utensil can be ruined.
We cannot measure the positive and negative mitzvot of the Torah, but there is much to learn from the consequences they bring on. If the Torah required us to remember Miriam’s punishment, it is apparently so that we should internalize the importance of the sin she perpetrated.
Tzara’at comes from speaking lashon hara (Arachin 15b), and this requires one to live in isolation outside the encampment (Vayikra 13:46). Someone who serves to create disharmony within society and fosters hatred and jealously is best isolated, where he does not spread his practices. There is a special mitzva to be careful with tzara’at (Devarim 24:8), from which we learn the prohibition to cut off flesh that has tzara’at on it (Makkot 22a).
Speech and thought have an impact on the body, and the sin of lashon hara can leave a sign on the body. Impure blood ruins the circulatory system and causes afflictions to the skin. If a person does not have remorse over his actions and accept the consequence of temporary isolation, he may want to just cut off the tzara’at and make believe he never received it. We are affected by those who have this trait, who, on the outside, present themselves as pure when they are not, as they themselves are negatively by it. It is easier to heal a blemish that one can see. When it is hidden, it is most dangerous. Healing must be systemic and not topical; the infection must be eradicated instead of having its sign covered over by cosmetics. To us, only beauty that comes from the inside is of value.
In western society, culture and fancy science are a cover-up for a lot of moral problems, such as animalistic tendencies. If one covers them with nice rhetoric, it just allows the problems to fester beneath.
Sometimes we [apparently speaking to his own beloved community in K’far Haroeh, 1938] suffice with the signs that we show others. We cover our actions and our biggest afflictions with a sign saying that we are religious laborers, an agricultural community of Hapoel Hamizrachi. Sometimes we perpetrate "idol worship" without knowing it because the sign that we place before us covers it. Yes, we worship the work that we do, our agricultural projects … One tends to see all afflictions but his own (Nega’im 2:5). It is better to look within us and compare what is there to what the Torah expects of us. Let us investigate if there is no affliction within, lest we cut off our tzara’at instead of making sure it heals.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts