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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
It seems the story of Yaakov and Rachel’s first encounter is similar to that of Eliezer and Rivka: both take place by the well, the appropriate spouse is found, and the same families are involved, those of Avraham and Lot. Nevertheless, one can assume that there is another point that is meant to grab our attention.
To sharpen this, let’s review what happens in these two parallel stories. In the story of Eliezer and Rivka, Eliezer is the rich person, he arrives with camels and the wealth of his master with him. Rivka, in contrast, is a small and vulnerable woman, but it is specifically her who labors and exerts herself, she draws water again and again, in order to do kindness with Eliezer and his camels.
In the story of Yaakov and Rachel, we find auxiliary people aside from them: these are the shepherds. The shepherds were strong men, locals who apparently knew the well better than other.s In contrast, Yaakov is an unknown and bereft of anything, who ran away from home. Nonetheless, he is the one to do kindness with the shepherds and it is he who lifts the rock that rests upon the well.
Rivka in the previous story, and her son Yaakov in this story are the weaker, lesser ones who have nothing. Even though their situations are more difficult than others, it is they who specifically perform a kindness.
In other words, from these stories we are able to learn that it is not money, nor wealth, nor age, nor experience that determine if one is a kind person. The heart, willpower, willingness, and a positive perspective are what cause one to be a kind person, if they will give and contribute to others. Money and property, however, are what enables one to do more kindness, while willpower, a good heart, are what cause one to do kindness and to act. Every person has many things that they can give and contribute; let us be aware of our abilities, strive to be full of willpower and a willingness to do kindness, and we will surprisingly discover that we have awesome abilities to act upon, to do and to give.
[1]See Rambam who explains it differently. Here we being one approach, but there is another approach that we have presented in the past.
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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.