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These points were behind the steps taken by the Jewish leadership of Chevron a little more than a hundred years ago. They declared that they did not need to be under the guidance of the general Jewish administration that was seated in Yerushalayim. This found most practical ramifications in their desire to raise money for the needy in their community independent of the Va’ad Hakelali (which was on the street that is now called Rav Kook Street), which raised and distributed the "chaluka" money. The Va’ad Hakelali sued the community to cease its independent, competitive activities, and Rav Avraham Y. Hakohen, then Chief Rabbi of Yafo, adjudicated (see Igrot Hareiyah 39).
Let us view some of the claims of the Chevron community. 1. Yehoshua bin Nun killed Adoni Tzedek, King of Yerushalayim and then burned the city (Shoftim 1:8), yet Jews did not inhabit the city until David captured it from the Yevusim. 2. According to Kabbalistic sources, the entrance to the Garden of Eden is at the Me’arat Hamachpela in Chevron, which is the reason that Adam buried Chava there (Zohar Chadash to Megillat Ruth). In contrast, the opening to Gehinom is, according to several sources, in Yerushalayim (see Eruvin 19a). Thus, the forefathers and Adam and Chava before them, had good reason to choose Chevron as their burial place. 3. Chevron was the first place purchased by our forefathers and therefore maintains a status as the key to the acquisition of the Land. 4. David chose Chevron for his capital before he chose Yerushalayim.
Rav Kook rejected the claims to giving Chevron prominence when compared to Yerushalayim. He said that anyone who minimized the greatness of Yerushalayim in comparison to anywhere else even in Eretz Yisrael is tantamount to one who sacrifices on an altar outside of the city. Any choice of the forefathers relating to Chevron had special reasons, but these do not preclude the special status of Yerushalayim. Me’arat Hamachpela’s presence in Chevron does not take away from Yerushlayim, as the special level of Chevron is included in the special status of Yerushalayim. (I will further develop this topic in Tzofnat Shmuel, which will hopefully be published soon.)
Let us pray that the connection of our entire nation to the Holy Land will be strengthened and all will rally around Yerushalayim as the unified and unifying city.
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.
