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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
In explaining why to not consume blood, the Torah says: "For the soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I gave it to you on the altar to receive atonement for your souls" (Vayikra 17:12). The Ramban explains that although man may use animals, the blood, which represents their lifeline, is reserved for the service of Hashem, not physical pleasure. We even cover the blood, an apparent parallel to the burial of a human body. The Torah (Bereishit 9:6) and rabbinic parlance describe taking of human life as spilling blood. What makes blood so central?
A major cause of quick death is the loss of blood or its inability to get to the heart or brain (heart attack, stroke). However, the connection between blood and life may run deeper, biologically and spiritually. Each part of the body has its purpose. However, its purpose is significant only if it is connected to the rest of the body. It is the blood that delivers the raw materials for organs to use, delivers the desired materials produced by the organs to other parts of the body, and removes dangerous by-products. In that way, blood most fully represents the life of the entire organism, whether it is animal or human.
The body can serve as a model for a nation. Individuals are like cells; groups, like organs. All can provide something needed by the nation to flourish. An "organ" that becomes isolated and starved for "blood" will be unable to get resources to function, unable to deliver valuable products to others in need, and will be overloaded with by-products. Only when a system is able to share and transfer from one part to another can it function efficiently. So too, a nation needs people who can create a "bloodline," allowing its various elements and talents to work symbiotically.
Rav Kook and Rav Zonnenfeld (rabbi of Yerushalayim’s Hungarian community, from which there was much opposition to R. Kook) crossed paths near the Kotel on Erev Pesach some 80 years ago. R. Zonnenfeld said to R. Kook: "May you stand in blood up to your ankles." Rav Kook answered: "Amen." The two explained to their shocked disciples that he had blessed R. Kook (a kohen) that he merit taking part in the service of the Korban Pesach, which is so described (Pesachim 65b). May our blood always be a sign of love and cooperation.
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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.
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.
