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Beit Midrash
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What is most perplexing is that Sara laughs at this news, seemingly in disbelief. (The fact that Avraham also laughed, said my Rebbe, is not so unusual – men have lesser faith than women!). Hashem finds it necessary to call Sara out on her failure to believe that G-d can create any miracle, at any time, even when seemingly impossible (the Gemara says that Sara actually lacked a uterus, making birth a physical impossibility). Even when Sara denies having laughed, Avraham corrects her, "Oh, no, you certainly did laugh!"
But perhaps it was the disbelief of Sara, the great pillar of faith -and her eventual joy at the miracle performed for her - that would set the stage for the future. Says the Medrash:
"Why was Sara granted a son only in her old age, after she had despaired of ever having a child? It was to be a lesson for all time: If anyone would give up hope that Hashem would return the Jewish People to Jerusalem and rebuild the Bet HaMikdash, he would be told, ‘Just as Sara was rejuvenated after many years, though she and everyone else did not believe it could happen, so will Hashem rejuvenate and redeem us in supernatural fashion.’ "
Though we live in an age where miracles come dressed in natural clothing, every once in a while some event comes along to remind us that miracles can indeed happen, that we mortals do not know everything, and certainly do not control everything. When we look at the events of the American election, we are overwhelmed by how stunning an upset this was, how all the so-called experts were wrong in their predictions, arrogantly assuming that their candidate could not possibly lose. But lose she did.
What exactly will this mean for Am Yisrael? Will it lead to better times for Israel, more support, maybe even the rebuilding of the Bet HaMikdash in our days? (See, for example, an excellent article recently written by a close friend:
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/mr-trump-rebuild-the-thirdtemple/.
I am no prophet; I cannot say for sure what all this portends. But what IS clear is that the Hand of Hashem is being raised in a very obvious way; it tells us that nothing is ever beyond the realm of possibility, and it surely is pointing clearly to Geula/Redemption.
Sara’s laugh may have begun as one of disbelief, but it ended in joy. We, too, shall have the last laugh.
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.
