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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Tazria
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
1) Blood, in and of its self, does not cause impurity. We find blood of nida and blood of tahara (purity). This fact nullifies any connection between the women’s monthly cycle and classic impurity. This misunderstanding caused many incorrect minhagim in many communities, whose source seems to be from the Karaites, leading to mistakes in halacha and distancing women from shul and their connection to Torah. (See for example Rambam, Isurei Bia ch. 15, and the harsh words of Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer IV, YD 11.)
2) The difference between the laws of a baby boy and girl is connected to the distinction between systems of time which apply to men and women, respectively. The male year is mainly influenced by the solar calendar and, therefore, is focused on a daily or yearly time frame. The female year is mainly influenced by the moon and is, therefore, focused on a monthly cycle. Therefore, only men are obligated in time bound mitzvot (which are connected to the difference between day and night, or festivals which are influenced by the solar calendar). In contrast, mitzvot that are connected to women are focused on months and not years.
3) The laws of family purity are one of the foundations of a halachic /spiritual way of life. The man is obligated to channel his wants and desires based on the natural cycle of his wife. This consideration and sensitivity turns their relationship into a more emotional and principled one, based on love and friendship. It helps develop married life into something more sublime than an outlet for dopamine and other chemicals. This relationship merited to be the symbol of our relationship between Hashem and Knesset Yisrael.
4) The mitzva of brit mila appears quite surprisingly in the middle of this section. Its placement here comes to teach that specifically the man and not the woman needs to make himself suitable "to minimize himself." The concept of brit mila in its simplest explanation is to show that even this part of the male anatomy has to be subservient to the service of Hashem. The meaning of this is: "Look at the covenant, and do not be corrupted by your desires." Here there is a similar guidance that was given to the moon: "Go and make yourself smaller" (Chulin 60b), only this time it refers to the man.
Based on our analysis, there is double commandment. First, to sanctify ourselves by holding back even that which is permitted to us. Furthermore, there is an obligation to think of the needs of our spouse before our own. Specifically in these whirlwind times, we have an obligation to strengthen the bonds of the family unit, elevate its holiness, and fill the Jewish home with sensitivity and consideration for our spouse.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
