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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Emor
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The opening pasuk in this section reads: "Hashem's mo'adim that you designate and proclaim as holy assemblies - these are My mo'adim." Rav S.R. Hirsch asks: Why does the verse repeat the fact that these mo'adim? Why not simply say: "These are the Festivals of the year," and then list them? He answers that Jewish holidays are never unilaterally imposed upon us. True, Hashem ordains these days and imbues them with holiness. But they only become real when WE become God's partner and declare them holy, when WE celebrate their particular mitzvot and minhagim. Neither God nor the Jewish People alone can create a Chag! So the pasuk quotes God as saying: "These are holy days, as far as I am concerned. And if you - Israel - will also proclaim them as such, then they will really become Festivals.
If this is true of the Chagim, it is also true of Eretz Yisrael. The Land is here eternally; it's not going anywhere. But it waits for US to come and inhabit it, work it, transform it, sanctify it. So, too, Yerushalayim shel Ma'ala is already built, just waiting until we do what it takes to "bring it down" to Yerushalayim shel Mata. Without our participation, nothing happens.
For the Jewish People - who faithfully waited 2000 years for the opportunity to reclaim Israel and usher in a new Golden Age of Judaism - this is both the time AND the place to fulfill our Divine Destiny.
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Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
