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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
Thus we can literally apply the lesson in our Sedra’s first pasuk: "When you go out against your enemy…" which teaches us 2 imperatives vis a vis our adversaries: 1) We must "go out," i.e. pro-actively seek out the enemy &
vanquish him before he does us; & 2) We must treat our enemy as our enemy. Normally, we exercise mercy & forbearance, for we are a merciful people. But when facing an enemy whose goal is to obliterate us, we are forbidden to show mercy, for it will surely cause innocents to die.
Fittingly, our Parsha ends on the note with which it started: Wiping out, completely, our arch-enemy Amalek.
But even as we are commanded to be tough & unforgiving against our foes, this month of Elul – during which this Sedra of Ki Tetze is always read - implores us to show overwhelming love & conciliation to our fellow Jews.
As we know, the code word of Elul is "Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li", the phrase formed by the initials of the month. But this phrase is puzzling & quite awkward, & does not translate well at all. In English we say, "I am my Beloved’s, & my
Beloved is mine." But the Hebrew seems a bit forced, as if the verb is mysteriously missing from the phrase.
But this is exactly the point! Indeed, there should be a verb in the sentence, such as Ani Mavtiach l’Dodi, Ani Notayn l‘Dodi, etc. (I promise to my beloved, I give to my beloved, etc). But any verb, though adding an action, would also be limiting, as if to say, "I do such-and-such for my Beloved - but that’s all!" By leaving the verb out, it is as if we are saying, I do _________ for my Beloved. Now you go ahead & fill in the blank, for whatever you name, I am prepared to do it for Hashem, & He for me!
We’re all familiar with the adage, "Only love can conquer hate." But the Torah clearly disagrees with this! We are commanded to battle fiercely to remove hate & haters from the world. But loving those who are not set on our
destruction - particularly our fellow Jews – as well as loving G-d, is a sure way to guarantee that we’ll be blessed by Hashem & will always prevail over our enemies.
Ki Tetze FALSE MORALITY IS IMMORALITY
Why R. Yosef Blau & American Jewish Liberals' Critique Misses the Mark
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
