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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Vayikra
Vayikra, of course, starts the discussion of the korbanot; one of the most predominant – yet perplexing – Mitzvot of the Torah. Few, if any of us, can relate to the offerings, or understand their deeper meaning. But let us try!
Let’s start with a question: Why does the Torah begin the subject of korbanot by saying "ADAM ki yakriv korban…. When a MAN shall offer a korban…." but at the same time tells us, "V’im NEFESH techeta – When a SOUL
shall sin…?" Why not stay consistent?
The reason is clear: A person sins because something inside him – his soul, let’s call it – compels him to do so. Moreover, it is the nefesh which then becomes tarnished (or blemished), and at the end of his days, it is primarily the soul which will need a tikun, a rectification.
But the soul is immobile, incapable of action. It is only "Adam," mortal, physical man – the soul’s vehicle for movement – which has the power to act. So the pasuk tells us that while it is the soul which sins, it is Man that must act to atone for that sin, and remove the blemish upon the soul.
Bringing a Korban was the "action plan" for penitence. A person had to select an animal, spend money to purchase it and then physically bring it to the Bet HaMikdash, to the Kohen, to offer it. He then had to lay his hands upon it and verbally confess his sin. All in all, he uses his eyes, his hands, his legs and his mouth. Teshuva, in short, requires concrete acts.
So, too, our deliverance on Pesach was the result of our acting, in tandem with Hashem’s will. We had to select a lamb, go and tie it to our bedposts, slaughter it and then place the blood on our door posts. We had to undergo Brit Mila, and then we had to leave Egypt when Moshe told us to leave. At crucial times in our lives, Man must act, and only then will Hashem react.
On many occasions, well-meaning people will tell me, "Rabbi, I know I’m not very active, Jewishly-speaking. But in my heart, I consider myself to be a very good Jew."
I tell these people, "You have what we call in Judaism, ‘a heart condition!’ What you are feeling is a soul literally dying to get out. For that to happen, you must act: Reach into your pocket to give Tzedaka; move your lips to pray; let your legs carry you to shul or the Bet Midrash; sit and study." Even the word, "Halacha" comes from the root, "to move."
You want to liberate your soul, to get your neshama in good shape? The only answer is Spiritual Calisthenics.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
