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with one nation languishing in misery at the very bottom of the social ladder, and it ends with our elevation into the nation of miracles, marching out of Egypt "with hand held high," while Egypt falls from power and is ignominiously
humbled.
This sensational "reversal of fortune" is the touchstone of millions of inspiring stories since, where the oppressed, depressed underdog, against all odds, turns the tables and emerges victorious, as right heroically defeats might.
Let me pose a question: On the verse, "And there arose a new Paro who did not know Yosef," Rav and Shmuel differ; one says this was indeed a new king while the other says it was the same Pharoah, who he just acted as if he did not know Yosef (and his contributions to Egypt). Now, if we accept this second opinion - leaving aside the fact that Paro would be exceedingly old, considering the Jews were in slavery for 117 years! – a great difficulty emerges.
This Pharoah had originally treated the Jews so well: He made Yosef Viceroy, with vast powers; he gave the Jews their own cushy suburb in which to live, treating them as VIP’s; he even sent a royal entourage to accompany Yakov, Yosef’s father, to burial in Israel. He was the paradigm of a foreign leader who respected his Jewish citizens.
So why, how, could he have been so good to us, and then turn into such an anti-Semitic, sadistic monster?
Let me suggest - and this is not out of paranoia or reaction to any current events – that the Torah may be telling us that even in the best of scenarios, we need to be extremely wary of life in the Diaspora. Yes, it may seem idyllic at times, but under the surface, even the best Paro is precarious.
But there is another profound message here. Just as a seemingly ideal situation can deteriorate to disaster, so, too, can a dismal prognosis turn into a glorious outcome.
G-d wants us to know that He is Echad, He knows and sees all, past, present and future. He has things worked out to their appropriate conclusion. As long as we don’t walk out at halftime – as so many unlucky people did during the Super Bowl – we will surely enjoy the final score. When things get dicey in Israel, and events of the day start to get us down, we must gather our faith and believe that it will ultimately all be directed to the good.
Stay loyal to the cause; be a Patriot and you will always trump the opposition.
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.