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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tavo
First, what was written on the stones? According to Rashi, exactly what the Torah says – all of the Torah, and, also, it was found in translation into 70 languages. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai says that "only" Sefer Devarim was written. Rabbi Yossi says that only passages that relate to the nations of the world were written, apparently in 70 languages. Ibn Ezra cites Rav Saadia Gaon as saying that there was a succinct listing of the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. The Ramban agrees with Rashi that the whole Torah was written but not in 70 languages, and he comments that either very large stones were used or their writing was an act of miracle. Abarbanel cites an opinion that the content was the story of the Exodus and the entry into the Land.
We have a parallel discussion regarding the writing of a Torah scroll for the king to take with him and read throughout his reign in order to help him fear Hashem and know what to do (Devarim 17:18-19). The Torah calls this scroll a mishneh Torah, which is hard to translate but has something to do with the number two. The gemara (Sanhedrin 21b) says that there were two Torah scrolls, one that he took with him and one that he kept stored away safely. The one that he took with him was made like an amulet that he attached to his arm. The Rashash (ad loc.) asks that it is forbidden to hang a sefer Torah from anything, which would be the situation if he tied it to his arm. He suggests the possibility that it was not a full sefer Torah, but was like the listing of mitzvot that Rav Saadia Gaon talked about regarding the writing of the stones. The Rashash also cites the Maharshal who says that the king’s sefer Torah had very small letters. This enabled him to carry it easily and not have it constrain his actions. On the other hand, the Maharasha (ad loc.) says that there is no basis for this hypothesis.
In our day and age it is possible to write the entire Torah on a "little stone" (or silicon, as it may be). Every person, not just the king, can carry around with him (six days a week), a full Jewish library and take advantage of every free moment to learn Torah. We thus take this opportunity to thank those responsible for such sites as Hebrew Books and Sefaria, who make it possible to access almost the whole Torah, almost anywhere, for almost everyone. This too is a sign of the atchalta d’geula (the beginning of our salvation).
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.
