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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Metzora
First, there is the Merkava, the original Chariot of Fire. I can’t tell you exactly what it means - that’s a secret and even I am not 100% sure! – but it’s not like anything you’ve ever seen before – outside of a science fiction movie. And then there is the Valley of the Dry Bones; that’s also pretty spectacular; all the bodies rising out of their graves and coming back to life and marching to the Holy Land.
But I want to talk to you about another amazing prophecy that is quite near and dear to me - and very topical for today. You see, Pesach is behind us and we are now headed towards Shavuot and MatanTorah. In classical terms, it is a day-to-day progression from physical to spiritual liberation.
But there is another stop along this journey, and that is Yom Ha’Atzmaut, which is the subject of a prophecy equally dramatic. I speak of the day when a great miracle will occur (36:3); when the Jewish People will return to Israel from all the far-flung places of their exile. They will re-inhabit the desolate land and rebuild their homes in place of the ruins. And they will make the land bloom again, so much so that people from all over will say,
"This place – once desolate and sparse – is a veritable Garden of Eden! Its cities are amazingly built, teeming with new life!"
I said that so very long ago, but can you believe it’s now coming true, in front of your very own eyes?!
And so I’m reminded of what my teacher and mentor Yirmiyahu said (23-8): "The day will come when we will praise G-d not as ‘the G-d who brought us out of Egypt,’ but rather as ‘the G-d who returned us to our own Land.’ "
I am in awe of all the Jews who made this happen! Remember that when G-d took the Israelites out of Egypt, He led them in a round-about way, avoiding the Plishtim, because we weren’t ready for war. But the Jews who came out of the Shoa went straight from the death camps to the battlefield! They faced Paro’s very descendants – this time using tanks rather than chariots – but they didn’t panic; they jumped right into the fight, like Nachshon!
The Merkava, the Dry Bones, the Splitting of the Sea, the Manna – they all were pretty impressive miracles, to be sure. But the return of Am Yisrael to Eretz Yisrael, Israel’s victories in six wars, the flourishing of Medinat Yisrael – these are miracles that outshine them all. And that is why I will be proudly waving my blue and white flag on Yom Ha’Atzmaut.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
