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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- The Month of Nissan
1) What is THE central message of Passover?
2) 10 is a nice round number, but why so many Plagues? Why not one, huge BOOM from Above, and we’re out?
3) For whose benefit or detriment were these Plagues?
4) What relevance, if any, do the plagues have for all of us today?
There are lots of themes and approaches to Pesach, but I suggest that the Number 1 idea we are meant to take away from this Chag is Hakarat HaTov – gratitude and appreciation for the countless things which Hashem did,
does and will do for us. An acknowledgment that G-d cares for us – because He cares about us - and always will.
How do we connect to others? There are two ways: One way is to give to them; the other is to accept what they give to US - and be thankful to them for it. If you realize what the other does for you, you cannot but feel close to them, as love and gratitude are inextricably tied to each other.
Clearly, Hashem gives to us in so many ways. But how do we give to Hashem? It is by following the path He lays out for us - doing Mitzvot, performing acts of Chesed, praying, sacrificing, and living as a proud and loyal Jew.
That is precisely why there were multiple Makot. Each one was another reminder of the manifold blessings we are given: Water to drink (not blood); serenity (not frogs or lice); health (not boils); light (not darkness) and so on.
True, the plagues also were designed to punish Paro and the Egyptians, repaying them measure for measure, Mida K’Neged Mida, for the horrendous way they treated us during the slavery period. And certainly they needed to
reap the result of their evil actions. But the primary focus of the 10 Plagues – and of the Exodus in all its fullness – was us - Bnei Yisrael, the Jewish People eternally.
Here’s an idea: Each day, after reciting the 15 general morning Brachot, stop and thank G-d for all the personal things in our life with which we are blessed. It could be our kids, our home, our health, our ability to walk or enjoy
food, etc. This makes our Tefila real and relevant, and brings home just how much we have to be grateful for from Hashem, deepening our love for Him.
So instead of always calling it the 10 Plagues, once in a while think of it as the 10 Presents which G-d gave – and continues to give to us. Chag Kasher V’Sameach!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
