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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedto the full recovery of
Pnina bat Miryam
The S’fat Emmet (5645) beautifully explains an important, Chassidic approach to this matter. At creation Hashem put Torah light into the physical creation. He intended for mankind, especially through the chosen nation who accepted the Torah, to uncover this light that was in the land. Thereby, they would fix that which had been "lost" at creation. Bnei Yisrael became accustomed subsisting in a desert, a non-land land, where working the land to survive and uncover the light of Torah was unnecessary. Hashem provided all their needs, both physical and spiritual, directly. The spies taught the people that it was undesirable to lower one’s spiritual level by having to search for sanctity through physically working the land, even Eretz Yisrael. This was the despising of the Land, by preferring the "desert lifestyle."
The S’fat Emmet also explains the significance of the three mitzvot that Bnei Yisrael received in the aftermath of this sin. They were: taking challah from the bread, bringing libations on the altar, and attaching tzitzit to one’s garments. These were a consolation for the three gifts that Bnei Yisrael dreaded losing from the days in the desert: the manna bread, the well, and the clouds of glory that enveloped them. Hashem showed them that they could have a connection to Hashem through their bread, by taking challah. They could see Hashem’s Hand in regard to liquids, by pouring them on the altar. They could feel enveloped by Hashem’s presence, by attaching tzitzit to their garments.
The idea of life in Eretz Yisrael, as seen both through the sin of the spies and of the mitzvot given subsequently, is as follows. While it is necessary to start life, national or personal, by being spoon-fed spirituality, we must reach a point where we find it actively. We earn our bread and raise it up in gift to Hashem. We dig wells and produce olive oil and pour them on the altar. We clothe ourselves and use the clothes as a reminder of Hashem’s connection to and expectations of us. We do all of this, preferably or exclusively (depending on the mitzva) in Eretz Yisrael.
Interestingly, the three mitzvot described involve different elements of society. Women take challah; men wear tzitzit. Kohanim pour libations. Everyone has a special connection with Hashem, through the mitzvot that most closely impact his or her life. When we form one cohesive, national group, the spiritual attainments of the whole are jointly elevated by the individual accomplishments of its parts.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
