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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).
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
