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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
"Such is the service of the Jewish people. We are commanded to make pilgrimages to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem from wherever we reside. This journey involves many difficulties and expenditures, yet, all the same, the Jew fulfills this obligation with great happiness and joy. The Jew is likewise commanded to tithe the first and second tithes, as well as the tithe of the poor, to bring obligatory festival offerings, to leave the land fallow during the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, to make expenditures for the Sabbath and festivals, to abstain from work during those times, to bring a variety of sacrifices to the Temple for various reasons, and to observes laws connected to ritual purity and impurity.
"All of these commandments call for great effort and they all must be carried out according to detailed guidelines which have been given to us by God Himself. This is the nature of the Divine service of the Jewish people, a service which encompasses all aspects of life and which is carried out with great inner desire, lovingly and joyfully. This was how the Jewish people conducted their lives from the time that they entered the land of Israel and throughout the period of the First and Second Temples which lasted approximately 1,300 years. And had Israel followed the correct path, this way of life would have continued indefinitely."
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
39 - 39. The Commandments - A Beloved Burden
40 - 40. Reward and Punishment
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The Rabbi responded, "A nation that perceives that its source of reward and punishment—the Divine Presence—is in its midst. Such Divine providence is discernible in Miriam's punishment of spiritual leprosy immediately upon maligning Moses, and in the punishment of Nadav and Avihu who brought an inappropriate incense offering before God. The biblical phenomenon of house, clothe, and human leprosy was supernatural, not a normal sickness, and it was clear to all that such diseases were forms of Divine punishment. All of these punishments served to evidence the Divine Presence amongst Israel.
Just consider what happened to Israel when Achan took from the consecrated goods (Joshua ch. 7). A single individual amongst 600,000 sinned, yet because of him all of Israel was punished. Immediate, revealed punishments demonstrate God's providence over Israel and the Divine Presence which resides amongst them.
This, then, is the answer to the question, how is it possible for a nation to meet such demanding requirements? It is possible because the Jewish people are unique. They are not your normal nation. The Divine Presence resides amongst them, and this situation brings with it privileges - and demands. The many demands that come with being a unique nation demonstrate Israel's preeminence. When the the nation as a whole senses the presence of the God in its midst, it possesses the power to live a sacred existence, a pure existence.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312
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.
