YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Emor
Lag B’Omer is also the yahrtzeit of Rav Shimon bar Yochai, one of the most mystical figures in Jewish history. Who was he, and why do we celebrate his life so brightly?
To answer, let’s recall a strange story about bar Yochai (known by his acronym "Rashbi"). Sought by the Romans for slander, Rashbi and his son run away and hide in a cave for 12 years. A carob tree and a spring of water
miraculously nourish them; they take off their clothes and sit in sand up to their necks, studying Torah all day long. Then Elijah the Prophet comes and informs them that the emperor has died; it is now safe for them to emerge.
Stepping out of their cave, they see men plowing their fields and they shout: "These people forsake eternal life (Torah study) and embrace mundane, temporary life!" Whatever they look at is burnt up in fire. G-d then orders Rashbi and his son back into the cave for another year. When they emerge once again, they see a man running late on Friday afternoon with 2 bundles of myrtle.
"What are those for?" they ask him. "To light on Shabbat," says the man, "one light is for Zachor (remember the Shabbat day) and one light is for Shamor! (observe the Shabbat day)." Rashbi is impressed: "See how precious Mitzvot are to Israel!" he says, and his spirit is finally eased.
We are told - as a way of indicating the righteousness of bar Yochai - that in Rashbi’s generation no rainbow was ever seen. Why not? Because the rainbow is a post-Flood sign of G-d’s eternal promise to always protect us. But when a generation has a Tzadik, a righteous person like Rashbi in it, he serves to protects the nation, and so no rainbow is needed.
But Rashbi had to learn that not everyone in the world can be a Tzadik who learns Torah in a cave all day long; most people need to work and lead normal lives. "Regular" people may make lots of mistakes, and are not perfect, but they have redeeming qualities, too. And when they do even the simplest Mitzva, such as lighting Shabbat candles, they are precious in G-d’s sight.
Rashbi is enlightened when he understands humanity is a glorious rainbow; we come in all colors of the spectrum; each human being has a spark of holiness. That Israel lights fires on Lag B’Omer - even without knowing why! -
is a symbol of our collective Holiness. Lag B’Omer may even be a tikun, a correction, for the actions of Rabbi Akiva’s students: They did not respect one other enough; but as we join together in a blaze of glory, we shine a
beacon of unity to Heaven that protects us and can dispel any danger.
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
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.