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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayeshev
How true! The "buzz" all around us today regarding impropriety among the rich & famous is right out of our Sedra, as both Yosef & Yehuda – the twin "kings" of Israel - grapple with this very same issue, with a twist.
In Yosef’s case, it is Mrs. Potiphar – powerful in her own right, as she is the wife of Yosef’s master – who tries desperately to seduce Yosef, threatening to have him imprisoned if he does not succumb to her desires. In Yehuda’s case, it is Tamar, Yehuda’s daughter-in-law, who disguises herself and entraps Yehuda into impregnating her.
Though the cases are somewhat similar – two stories of women who want to impose themselves on men – there is a big difference. While Yehuda goes through with the act, causing him a great deal of shame & blame ("And Yehuda went down (morally) among his brothers," is the chapter’s headline), Yosef is resolute to the very end & refuses to compromise his moral character, despite the harsh punishment that results from his stance. This is perhaps why Yosef comes to be called a Tzadik.
Where did Yosef find the strength to resist Mrs. P’s advances? How did he overcome such temptation? What did he have that so many other men fail to have?
Chazal suggest that, at the most crucial moment, as he began to weaken,Yosef saw the face of his father reflected in a window or mirror. This may have been his own reflection, as Yosef & Yakov are said to have looked very much alike ("And these are the generations of Yakov/Yosef") says the pasuk. Yosef asked himself, "How can I betray the trust placed in me by my father, who told me I would be a great leader in Israel?"
At the same time, I suggest, Yosef was thinking about another father: Avinu She’bashamayim. G-d had watched over him so closely, helping him endure the pit, survive his sale to unscrupulous traders, allowing this semi-slave to become an "Ish Matzliach – a successful man among men. How could Yosef now betray Hashem after all this?
The lesson is eternal and ever-present: As long as we keep constant the twin faces of our parents & our Creator, we, too, can resist falling to sin and instead rise to the level of Tzadik.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.