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Beit Midrash
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Nisan, in particular Pesach, is supremely concerned with Time. The z’manim (times) of Pesach, from Bedikat Chametz through the end of Passover, are crucial to the Mitzvot and strictly observed. When can we begin our
search for Chametz? When is the last time to eat or own it on erev Pesach? When do we start our Seder? By when must we eat the Afikoman? How much time do I have to swallow the required amount of Matza? And that
most popular of all Seder questions: What time do we eat?!
The Hebrew word for "time" is z’man. It’s interesting to note three other Hebrew words with the very same root: "Hazmana", an invitation; "Zimun," the calling to order of a quorum in order to introduce Birkat HaMazon; and "Zamin," which means,"accessible," as in being reachable by cell phone (a must for every Israeli!).
What do these seemingly disparate derivatives of Zman, time, have in common?
I suggest the following: Time is one of G-d’s greatest gifts and one of humanity’s most precious commodities. It is invisible, yet it surrounds us at every moment. It is ephemeral, yet we cannot stop it or slow it, despite all our
mighty efforts. At times we waste it - even kill it! - but we will fight for every ounce of it when it is running short.
G-d gives each of us a certain supply of Time in this world. We are "called to order" in order to fulfill a holy mission, the essence of which is to cause G-d’s name to be revealed and revered. We will receive many invitations
from Hashem during our life-Time to justify our having been created, but we will only be able to answer the call if we are zamin, accessible at that precise moment.
Life, in many ways, is like a train. It runs on a schedule and if you miss it, you may wait a long time to catch that train again - if ever. So we must "train" ourselves accordingly to keep careful "track" of our valuable time; "engineering" our time so that we spend every minute of it wisely. For at the end of the day, Time will tell us what befell 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.