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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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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.
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.
