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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Rabbi Meir b"r Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld
I have faith in our people. The nation of Israel is an excellent nation, a strong nation, a healthy nation, an unsullied and holy nation. I am not simply trying to comfort with empty words those who have surrendered to despair because of the present situation. Rather, my intention is to show that there is indeed hope of escaping the political whirlpool which currently has us in its clutches, for this entire storm that we find ourselves in is actually nothing more than foam upon the face of the water. The crisis is external; all of the weakness and corrosion is superficial.
In Israel's depths, in the inner chamber, everything is different. Our politicians' dishonesty and deceitfulness is just an outer garb which hides and covers up the power of faith and fidelity which resides deep down in their true being.
The schisms which tear at the nation and rend it to pieces conceal the essential inner oneness which unites Israel more than any nation. Outward weakness conceals an inner greatness, the outward disavowal hides an enormous inner of faith. And because in our depths we are healthy and strong, faithful and sturdy, all that needs to be done is to remove the cover which conceals our true refinement. In the words of the Prophet, "Take the filthy garments off of him" (Zechariah 3:4).
We ask ourselves, what is the meaning of this contradiction between that which we see on the outside and that which exists within? How is it possible for there to be such a sharp disparity between our inner essence, which is completely perfect, and our outer appearance, which seems to be the exact opposite? How can we be so certain that we indeed possess all of these qualities when reality appears to negate this? Answer: the Sages teach us that it is precisely Israel's preeminence that causes all of our weaknesses to stand out so strongly.
Our eminent mentor, the late Rabbi A. I. Kook, in his seminal work, Orot, in the chapter entitled "Orot HaTekhiya," gives expression this idea as follows: "We are great and our errors are great—hence our sufferings are great and our solaces are great." Rabbi Kook further writes that "just before the 'footsteps of the Messiah,' the nation's inherent unity will flourish. The good deeds and the wisdom and the Divine light which reside in the righteous will effect the sanctity of the national body more than in any other period. This inherent genius is concealed by a covering of accusation and argumentations, but its essence boasts love and extraordinary unity which awakens a general sense of eager expectation for the salvation of the entire people."
In other words, in the said generation, unity will abound - but it will be hidden. This being the case, all that need be done is to remove the outer guise. There is no need to create new positive faculties, all of the qualities are present; we need only remove the outer veil and reveal them. This can happen suddenly. We are undoubtedly approaching that great hour in which we will be completely redeemed.
He who acts together with the Almighty in bringing about the redemption, settling the land, strengthening the Torah, protecting Israel's territorial integrity - fortunate is he and blessed is his portion; he will soon be called upon to receive his reward.
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.
