YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
It's become quite trendy as of late - what with the many natural disasters we’ve seen recently - to make all kinds of predictions of the planet’s demise & why all this turmoil is happening. But before you take out your "The World Will End In ___ Days" sign, remember: No one is a Prophet; no one has a "lock" on the Almighty. While there certainly are many wise people in the world, as well as special individuals whose Tefilot are powerful, & while the Bracha of a Tzadik (or any person, for that matter!) has merit, at the end of the day it is G-d who decides what will happen & when, based on considerations to which only He is privy.
If anyone tells you otherwise, & says he knows the future, or can can decide the course of natural, or supernatural events, get it in writing - & check your wallet to make sure that nothing is missing!
Yet still, in the Torah's perspective, there definitely IS a traceable connection between human behavior & events occurring in the physical world. Man's actions have a ripple effect on not just our Earth, but on the entire Universe!
Long before there was Katrina, Irma or Maria, there was a Great Flood which made all the other weather systems feel like a summer sprinkle. The Flood not only destroyed humanity, but changed the planet into a radically different
place. The Giants who once roamed the Earth disappeared; human beings no longer lived for centuries. Why?
The Soforno explains: The physical world reflects the actions of humanity. When we live morally-correct lives, when we perform Mitzvot, treat others with respect, battle against corruption & look to the welfare of the poor, widowed &
orphaned, the Earth responds in kind. It yields abundant produce & nurtures life, allowing people to live almost indefinitely. When the spirit flourishes, life expands.
But when we abuse our responsibilities & violate each other & the Land itself, G-d "rolls back" the good, green Earth & it falls far short of the perfect world it could be. Indeed, the Hebrew word, "Eretz" (land) is connected to "Ratz" (run), for Chazal say that the Earth unceasingly "runs" to do the bidding of the Almighty.
The Torah begins with the letter Bet & it ends with a Lamed; Tanach begins with a Vav & ends with a Lamed. These 4 letters unscramble to spell "Lulav." Why Lulav? A Lulav, say the Rabbis, has taste. It does?! Yes! In the end of days, when we will embody Torah & Tanach, Nature will reach its zenith, and the date palm will taste just like the date – both the trees and their fruit will be completely edible! The Earth will rise to an unprecedented level of abundant giving; it will serve – and not sink - its righteous inhabitants.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
