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Chazal (see Sota 36b) tell us that at the critical moment, right before the splitting of the Sea, the various tribes were in competitive mode. Rabbi Meir relates the following, based on his understanding of Tehillim 68:28. When Bnei Yisrael stood by the sea, each tribe claimed that they were going to jump in first. The Tribe of Binyamin went in first, and the Tribe of Yehuda stoned them. That is why Binyamin merited hosting the Divine Presence in the Beit Hamikdash. Rabbi Yehuda had a different version. Each tribe was trying to avoid going in. Since Nachshon, head of the Tribe of Yehuda, was the first, they merited having dominion in Israel, as it says: "Yehuda was for His holiness, Israel was for His kingdom" (Tehillim 114:2). Why did Yehuda have this kingdom? Because the "sea saw and fled" (ibid. 3).
We see, in this midrash, two disagreements. The first is between the sons of Leah, represented by Yehuda, and the sons of Rachel, represented by Binyamin, as to who would rule. The second is a disagreement among Tannaim as to who received the leadership. The correct situation is as we discussed last week – the descendants of the two should lead in partnership. Let us illustrate the importance of such partnership with the help of Sefer Shoftim, from which this week’s haftara is taken.
Almost everyone agrees that the era of the Judges was a low point in the history of Bnei Yisrael. One can see a spiritual deterioration throughout, with a central characteristic being the lack of unifying leadership. Shoftim begins (see Shoftim 1:27) where Yehoshua ends off (see Yehoshua 14:12) – with the failure of the tribes to capture the entire Land which Hashem gave to them. In this context (Shoftim 1:1), Hashem answered the question as to who should lead the battle to liberate the land with "Yehuda shall go up." The Sons of Yehuda asked the Sons of Shimon to accompany them; they did not ask a tribe descending from Rachel. In that way, they continued the mistake that started in Sefer Bereishit, where enmity toward Yosef led to his selling.
The Sons of Yosef also made mistakes in this realm. The Tribes of Menashe and Ephrayim went to fight the enemies (ibid. 22) without inviting the descendants of Leah to take part. Kalev and the Tribe of Yehuda captured Chevron, and the question is why Yehoshua Bin Nun, the leader of the nation and of the Tribe of Ephrayim, was not involved in helping his old partner, with whom he had worked against the other spies. The answer seems, again, to be a lack of unity.
At this time of international attempts to harm the standing of the State of Israel and of terrorists to carry out hideous crimes against men, women, and children, let us recall that unity that stems from a willingness for joint leadership always brings good outcomes.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
