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Beit Midrash
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What is it doing here? Does it tell us how to act, or how not to act? Should it even be counted among the 10, or is it more of an introduction to what follows?
There are those who see this sentence as a kind of preamble; that Hashem is "announcing," right from the get-go, that all the succeeding commands emanate from a Divine source, and as such are direct, immutable laws that come straight from G-d and so cannot be altered. Others see this intro as Hashem, in a sense, "justifying" the code of behavior He is imposing on us, as if to say: "I took you out of Egypt and saved you from certain destruction, in order for you to fulfill meaningful, holy lives, which these very commandments will guarantee."
I want to suggest another idea.
I think the key word here is "Anochi." While the word can indeed mean, "I," it also is an actual name of G-d (as in "HaShomer Achi Anochi" – "G-d is my brother’s keeper"). Of all the names that could have been used here, at this special moment, Hashem chose to employ "Anochi." Why?
"Anochi" establishes a personal relationship with Hashem. It tells us that He is not a detached, distant deity that may run the universe, yet has no interest or awareness of all His subjects. Instead, He is part of the lives of each and every one of us; He sees us, hears us, cares about us and relates to us on a one-to-one basis. True, He has many shluchim - messengers to bring His will into fruition, and many diverse vehicles to effect His plan for the world. But He is always "in on the conversation" and never absent.
I grew up in Chicago in an era "ruled" by legendary Mayor R. J. Daley, whose Democratic machine tightly controlled city politics for decades. My political science professor, Milton Rakove, who was once a precinct captain for the Democrats, explained how Daley held on to power for so long. The precinct captain reported to the committeeman, who reported to the alderman, who reported to the mayor. After each election, the "lieutenants" had to sit before "General" Daley and report exactly how many votes their area brought in for the party. When it came his turn, the professor proudly told the mayor that in his precinct, only 1 single person had voted Republican. The
mayor commended him, but just before he got up to leave, said to him, "Hang on there, you; let’s discuss that one vote!"
Al achat kama v’kama, in Hashem’s precinct, every single vote – and voter – counts. G-d’s "I" is always on us.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
