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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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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.
