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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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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.
