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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Bechukotai
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
On the other hand, we see that the Land’s lot is tied up with our welfare as well. Rashi (ibid.:32) explains the pasuk "I shall make the Land desolate" as a favor for Bnei Yisrael, that other nations would not have success with the Land in our absence, apparently in order to make our return easier. The Land, which was commanded at creation to give fruit, remains a wasteland, in deference to a nation that does not even merit staying in the Land. So what does the Land want, and what are its rights?
Perhaps the key to this issue is found in Midrash Rabba (Vayikra 36:5) on the pasuk of remembering the patriarchs and the Land. The midrash compares the situation to that of a king who has three sons who are raised by one of his maids. When the king inquires as to the welfare of the children, he inquires about the maid’s welfare as well. In other words, the Land is the nation’s responsible caregiver, but it does not have special, individual rights. Its prominence comes from its ability to "raise" the nation.
Yet the midrash refers to the maid as "one of his maids." In other words, she was not there for the children to stomp all over. Rather, she represented the king and the extent to which they respected her authority was indicative of the respect the children showed their father, the king. Such is the relationship between Bnei Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. It is to raise us and we are to respect the boundaries Hashem put on our use of it. If we abuse it or abuse His authority in other ways, the Land will spit us out (see Vayikra 18:25). Yet, Eretz Yisrael will not flourish when the evil children are sent away. Rather, it is set aside for the time that it will be able to raise Bnei Yisrael once again. Any other use of it would be a demotion from its past and future high station.
Let us pray that the reunion between the nation and the Land continue in full force and strengthen, as we use it to better serve our and its Maker.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
