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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The p’sukim say: "Og, King of Bashan, went out toward them, he, and all of his nation for battle at Edre’i. Hashem said to Moshe: ‘Do not fear him.’" Note that while the Torah stresses Og’s whole army, when it comes to saying not to be afraid, only Og is mentioned. Let’s take a look at Og’s accomplishments. He survived the flood but certainly did not prevent it. He survived the battle against the four kings but was not among the victors (see Rashi, ibid.). The Torah (Devarim 3:11) describes him as the sole survivor of the Refaim. Despite his formidable size, the thing that he is most known for is surviving, not winning.
We can suggest that this is precisely what Moshe feared. Yes, he and Bnei Yisrael would survive Og. But as Moshe was about to leave the stage of history and leave Bnei Yisrael in other hands, the question was whether they were ready to continue with the right attitude. If Og were to have lost but escaped one more time, Bnei Yisrael would have had the feeling that Og was invincible. He would always be there, ready to win the next time, when they did not have Moshe there with them to fight and lead.
We see over and over, even during the period of Moshe’s leadership, that Bnei Yisrael got themselves into the deepest trouble when they lacked confidence in themselves. This quickly turned into a lack of confidence in Hashem’s ability to help them. It happened with the spies. Fortunately, it did not happen when Amalek attacked. How does the Torah describe their success, through Moshe’s upraised hands? "His hands were belief until the sun set" (Shemot 17:12). They needed the spiritually-based confidence that Moshe helped provide, that with the right dedication, they would prevail.
Certainly, it is crucial to have the merit that enables one to receive the Divine assistance that brings all different types of success. Yet we see that merit alone is insufficient. If the nation lacks the confidence that it can succeed, with Hashem’s help, or believes that there is a power that they cannot overcome, then the risk that lack of confidence will bring lack of faith in Hashem remains.
May Hashem give us the wisdom to know what we, His nation, are capable of achieving, with His help, physically and spiritually.
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.
