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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
The expression "Shema Yisrael (Hear, Israel)," which we use morning and night to introduce our acceptance of the yoke of the Heavenly Kingdom, has turned into a symbol of Jewish life. Every Jewish child, from a very young age, knows these words. Many know the heart-wrenching story of Chief Rabbi Herzog [and/or Rav Eliezer Silver and Rav Yosef Kahaneman] who discovered Jewish children whose identities were hidden by nuns after the Holocaust, by singing "Shema Yisrael" as the children prepared for sleep, bringing many to remember their parents.
Let us try to determine how the Torah uses these ostensibly introductory words to teach additional spiritual messages. Of course, the most famous usage is with the continuation, "Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is one" (Devarim 6:4). However, it also introduces other Torah statements.
"Hashem called to all of Israel and said to them: ‘Hear Israel, the statutes and the ordinances that I am speaking in your ears today, and you shall teach them and guard them to follow them’" (Devarim 5:1). Another one is: "Hear, Israel, you are passing the Jordan today to replace great nations … and you should know today that Hashem is He who goes before you; He will destroy them…" (Devarim 9:1-3). Later on in Devarim (20:3-4), the Torah says: "He [the kohen] will say to them: ‘Hear, Israel, you are going out to battle today against your enemies; let your hearts not be weak … for Hashem, your G-d is He who goes before you to fight on your behalf against your enemies to save you.’"
The last appearance of "Shema Yisrael" is in our parasha: "Moshe and the kohanim, the levi’im, spoke to all of Israel: ‘Concentrate and hear, Israel: this day you have become a nation to Hashem, your G-d’" (ibid. 27:9).
If we take a look at these four usages of the phrase "Shema Yisrael," we will see that the subject matters in these contexts are the three critically interlocked foundations of our unique relationship with Hashem. The first and most famous context relates to the basis of theTorah of Israel. The next two sources have to do with the importance of the Land of Israel in our national lives. The final one has to do with our unique status as a nation singled out by Hashem. The fact that each of these ideas is introduced in this dramatic manner shows its importance as ideas that are the bases for our whole Jewish belief.
As the Day of Judgment approaches, let us pray that more and more people in our nation will be strengthened in their belief in these principles.
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.
