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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Vayakhel
We can easily identify a common order to the themes of the sections – command to build the Mishkan; Shabbat; the episode of the Golden Calf; Shabbat; building of the Mishkan. What is the significance of this order?
Rashi posits that the Torah is not bound to a chronological order. The episode of the Golden Calf occurred before the command to build the Mishkan, as the former was on Tamuz 17. The latter was after Yom Kippur, when Hashem forgave Bnei Yisrael, and was followed by contributing towards the Mishkan and finally its inauguration on Nisan 1.
The Ramban, on the other hand, argued that the command regarding the Mishkan preceded the breaking of the tablets, although it was repeated after the process of atonement was completed. According to the Ramban, the order of events described in the parshiyot was chronologically accurate. According to Rashi, why did the Torah write the command to build the Mishkan before the sin of the Golden Calf if it occurred after it? Both according to Rashi and the Ramban, one needs to explain why Shabbat is juxtaposed to the Golden Calf and the Mishkan. In order to explain this, let us look at Rashi’s comments regarding the two parshiyot discussing Shabbat.
Rashi in our parasha explains that Moshe writing about Shabbat before the Mishkan teaches us that the construction of the Mishkan does not override Shabbat. However, in Parshat Ki Tisa, the command of Shabbat follows that of the Mishkan. It seems, then, that there is a contradiction on whether the order is an indication of which supersedes the other. Furthermore, the reason that Rashi gives in Ki Tisa for Shabbat being kept even in the face of constructing the Mishkan is that the word "ach" excludes work done on Shabbat. However, since it is written within Shabbat, it should actually exclude the opposite – that work should be allowed on Shabbat for the sake of the Mishkan!
To answer these questions, let us recall the Vilna Gaon’s thesis. He explained that the command to build the Mishkan before the sin of the Golden Calf was never fully realized. The description of the actual building of the Mishkan that we find after the Golden Calf is not related to the previous commandment, as the order was changed after the sin. After the sin, the nation’s spiritual diminishment weakened the power of the Mishkan.
Before the Golden Calf, the command of Shabbat comes after the command to build the Mishkan. This teaches that in an ideal spiritual state, it would have been permitted to work even on Shabbat in order to build the Mishkan. After the sin, we live in a world where Shabbat must come first, and it was indeed forbidden to build on Shabbat even for the Mishkan.
Let us pray that we become worthy to rectify both things – to return to our spiritual heights before the sin of the Golden Calf and be worthy of building the Beit Hamikdash on the highest level.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
