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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
We will look at an interesting phenomenon that emerges from this Torah section. "Hear, O Israel (Shema Yisrael), the statutes and laws that I am saying in your ears today …" (Devarim 5:1). The Torah then (ibid. 4) describes the people’s level: "Face to face Hashem spoke with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire." This was literally awe-inspiring, as the pasuk says: "For you were afraid due to the fire" (ibid. 5).
In the section that follows the repetition of the Ten Commandments, the Torah describes the discussion surrounding Bnei Yisrael’s concern about continuing to hear "Hashem’s voice" (ibid. 20-25). The section ends off: "You, Israel, shall hear and guard to fulfill so that it be good for you …" (ibid. 6:3). Directly following this are the beloved words that every Jew says twice a day from the time of his youth: "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echad" (ibid. 4).
The level of encountering Hashem "face to face" (Shemot 33:11) is the greatest level of closeness to the divine imaginable. Every individual Jew should strive for such closeness even though he will not succeed in reaching it. Even Moshe – who "spoke to Hashem face to face" (Shemot 33:11) on an ongoing basis – when he asked, "Show me Your glory" (ibid. 18), he was turned down, as it says: "You will not be able to see My face, for man is unable to see Me and live" (ibid. 20). Despite this fact, David did "seek Hashem’s face" (Tehillim 27:8).
If this is a goal that cannot be realized, what is the practical solution? "Hear, O Israel (Shema Yisrael), the statutes and laws." If we rise to the challenge, then we can take the power of the experience of Sinai and successfully convert it into a serious ongoing relationship of "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echad."
We have merited completing the three weeks of mourning for the Temple to arrive at the seven weeks of consolation, during which we read haftarot about the great liberation. The Temple was destroyed due to baseless hatred, which is often caused by a failure to listen seriously to the words of another Jew. If we will be more attentive to our brothers’ voices, even if we do not always agree with them, we will merit the shining countenance of Hashem, and maybe we will approach the level of "face to face" with Him.
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
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
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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.
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.
