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Yaakov Ben Behora
The navi tells us that Uziyah was, for the most part, a righteous king, like his father, Amatzya. Yet, we are told that he was afflicted with tzara’at that lasted until the end of his life (Melachim II, 15: 3-5), unlike Moshe and Miriam’s short-lived cases. What was the root of the tzara’at? To learn more, we have to look in Divrei Hayamim, as Tanach elaborates in one place on that which is cryptic in another place. Yoash, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, defeated Amatzya in Beit Shemesh, leaving him with a weak kingdom- militarily, financially, and internationally, which he inherited to his son (see Divrei Haymim II, 25: 23-24). The young king, Uziyah, decided to go about things differently. Instead of continuing the warfare with the rival Kingdom of Israel, he cooperated with Yerovam II and was thus able to expand the borders of Israel until Eilat in the south and Ashdod in the west. This opened ports in the Mediterranean and Red seas, enabling the country to control important land and water routes of international trade. The Scriptures write also of impressive advances in agriculture and in the production of military supplies (see ibid. 26).
What impressive advances by a wise, righteous and ambitious king! But all of his success collapsed on him for one reason. "As he became strong, his heart became haughty until it brought destruction, and he betrayed Hashem, his G-d, and entered the Sanctuary of Hashem to burn incense on the Altar of Incense ... and the tzara’at shone on his head" (ibid.: 16,19). In this way, Uziyah, who was basically righteous like his father, also failed for the same reason as his father. Indeed, the navi addressed Amatzya with the complaint, "your heart raised you up" to overconfidence and failure (ibid. 25:19).
So we see another root cause of tzara’at. It can remind a person that, as important as he may be and even if he channels his ambitions to ostensibly good causes, he must know his limits. As a human being, he is limited and must conform to Divine commandments and know his place. For this reason, the sacrifices that a leper brings at the conclusion of his period of leprosy include cedar wood (etz erez) and hyssop (eizov). The former, one of the tallest and most proud members of the plant world, is combined with the latter, which is one of the most lowly, to show the importance. This reminds the leper, as he returns to society, that he must temper his ambitions for greatness with the proper measure of humility.
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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.
