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Beit Midrash
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- Ki Tavo
But the beginning of his speech is somewhat peculiar. He says, "Arami Oved Avi." On a simple level, this can mean, "My father (Yakov) was a wandering Aramean" (for he lived in Aram for twenty years). This certainly makes sense, as it marks the beginning of the whole escapade.
But Rashi has a very different spin on this phrase. He says that "Arami" refers to Lavan (the Hebrew letters can be rearranged to spell "Ramai, a cheater," which Lavan surely was) who wished to destroy Yakov. But why start such a positive dialogue in such a negative way? And how big a part did Lavan actually play in Yakov’s life?
Rav Eliyahu Ki-Tov has a beautiful take on this. He says that Yakov’s troubles began when Lavan switched brides on him, substituting Leah for Rachel. The result of this was that Yakov’s first-born was Reuven, rather than Yosef, which led to bitter sibling rivalry, when Yosef self-declared that he was the heir apparent of the family. From this schism came the selling of Yosef, the descent to Egypt, the slavery of the Jews and eventual redemption.
Had Yakov married his true love Rachel, and had Yosef been born first, our history would have been radically different, and none of this balagan might have taken place.
Yet I want to suggest that there is a profound message here. Not only that it is Hashem who "pulls the strings" of history – both on a collective and individual level - but that events in our lives which often seem to be negative, even catastrophic, usually have a happy ending.
True, we had to deal with a lot of challenges as the brothers fought against one another, and we suffered in bondage for more than a century. But in the end, it was all part of the fabric of our destiny, and necessary for our ultimate survival and triumph.
As we mentally review the events of our personal lives before Rosh Hashana, we will undoubtedly feel some pain – at what we lost, at the opportunities we squandered along the way – yet we hopefully will come away with a greater sense of Hakarat Ha-Tov, appreciation for the way in which G-d has lovingly guided us and cared for us along the journey.
And we can then better express our gratitude when we gather soon to celebrate another blessed year of Life.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.
