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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
given in a desert (Midbar) rather than in a populated area, be it large city or village. Others have noted that the word "Midbar" contains the Hebrew word, "Daber," "speak (of it)," as another allusion to Shavuot, when we speak and study about the central Mitzvot of the Torah, as embodied in the Aseret HaDibrot, the 10 Commandments.
The other famous play on words is that "Shavuot" not only means "weeks" (the 7 weeks that we count from Pesach), but can also mean "oaths" or promises, indicating the solemn vow we made at Har Sinai to Hashem to accept, and forever follow, His holy Torah.
I would like to combine all these diverse thoughts into one "package" that defines our approach to Torah.
We are blessed with great sages, rabbis, teachers and Talmidei Chachamim throughout the ages who have elucidated for us the simple - and deeper – meaning of the Torah and its many Mitzvot. We would be foolish if we did
not avail ourselves of their deep wisdom, and take full advantage of their intense study that produced the insights that explain and enliven the Torah and Talmud. But at some point, we also have to exercise our own brains; we have to ponder, and process, the ancient yet eternal words of Hashem in order to "make them our own," to take personal possession of them so that they become a lasting and integral part of our life and legacy.
To best do this, we must take the Torah "into the desert." We need to isolate ourselves with it - free of distractions or diversions, like the desert itself - and see it with our own, fresh eyes. For there, right in front of us, is a gushing
fountain of Truth and Beauty, if only we take the time to want to discover it. Unlike any other book that has ever been written, the Torah is not frozen in time, nor bound to a copyright date; it is forever new and relevant. It speaks
("Daber") to us, no less than to the most distinguished scholar; it is ours for the taking.
Not by coincidence do we start a new Book the week of Shavuot. Each year, we have a chance to start again, to wipe away the mistakes and missed opportunities of the past and reclaim our heritage. That, I suggest, is the real
"Shavua-Oath" we take; not only to G-d, but to ourselves.
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.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
