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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Yom Haatzmaut
Then the kohen shall order, and the person to be cleansed shall take two live, clean birds, a cedar stick, a strip of crimson [wool], and hyssop. The kohen shall order, and one shall slaughter the one bird into an earthenware vessel, over spring water. [As for] the live bird, he shall take it, and then the cedar stick, the strip of crimson [wool], and the hyssop, and, along with the live bird, he shall dip them into the blood of the slaughtered bird, over the spring water. He shall then sprinkle seven times upon the person being cleansed from tzara’ath, and he shall cleanse him. He shall then send away the live bird into the [open] field.(Leviticus 14, 4-7)
The leper must take "two live, clean birds" and then slaughter one of them. The second bird is sent away to its freedom. However, before it is sent away, it is dipped into the blood of the dead, slaughtered bird.
What is the underlying concept behind this unusual ritual?
Both birds are equal. Both are clean and pure. Why does one live while the other is slaughtered? There is no objective reason behind this. One bird is randomly chosen and then slaughtered. The live bird flies to freedom.
However, the live bird must always remember that it remained alive thanks to the slaughtered bird. It must never forget that if it were not for the slaughtered bird, it would have been the one chosen to die! The bird is free, but only after it is dipped in the blood of the slaughtered bird. In this way, it will always remember that it’s life was granted thanks to the bird that did not live.
Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut are juxtaposed. This is a puzzling and difficult reality. The mourning and sadness intrinsic to Yom Ha’Zikaron are rapidly replaced by the joy and celebration of Yom Ha’Atzmaut.
This juxtaposition teaches us something truly wonderful. On Yom Ha’Atzmaut we rejoice and celebrate. We thank Hashem for the great privilege of living in Eretz Yisrael, in the State of Israel. Yet, at the height of our joy we must always remember: we live here thanks to our beloved soldiers who gave their lives for Kiddush Hashem. The soldiers who fell in the defense of our country and our people made it possible to build and develop the State of Israel. The live bird is dipped in the blood of the slaughtered bird. Yom Ha’Atzmaut is dipped in the blood of Yom Ha’Zikaron.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts