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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Miketz
In contrast, for the righteous, Hashem exists on top of them (ibid.), as the Torah says, "And indeed Hashem was standing above [Yaakov]" (Bereishit 28:17). The purpose of Yaakov’s life was not to receive but to give, in the proper way. He strove to serve Hashem in the purest, cleanest way. The more he could do it without intention to receive benefit, the happier he was. Such people do not come to provide the "taste that the pallet is used to" but to "improve the taste," so that one can "enjoy the taste of giving." The idea is not to connect oneself to tangible things but to nullify oneself to the point that he can cling to Hashem.
The Baal Hatanya would sing: "I do not want the lower Gan Eden and not even the higher Gan Eden. I want only You; my spirit is thirsty for You; my flesh yearns for You." Certainly, not everyone can reach such levels, and even one who approaches this level cannot keep it up at all times of the day. However, this is the goal and aspiration. This is what Yaakov wanted, and that is the reason that he saw Hashem standing above him.
When the self-absorbed, powerful Paroh dreamed, he could only dream about his interests. People reasoned that not only is man self-absorbed but so must be Hashem, in Whose image man was created. That is why no one could interpret Paroh’s dream correctly, even though the correct one seems pretty obvious. Famine and plenty – why would Paroh dream about that? He is not going to go hungry; it affects only the people, not him! So they assumed it had to do with daughters or honor (see Bereishit Rabba 89:6).
When Yosef entered the picture, Paroh started seeing things differently and related that he was standing on the banks of the Nile (Bereishit 41:13). Paroh was shaken by the mysterious dream, and then Yosef told him: "That which Hashem is doing He has told Paroh" (ibid. 25). Hashem wanted Paroh to follow His lead and think about his subjects. Then the solution was simple: plenty and famine for the people.
Yosef, who was viewed so poorly by his brothers, came up with the solution. He had lofty intentions and saw in his predicament an opportunity to sustain his family. That is why he did not get carried away with his success. Rather he concentrated on making a worthy arrangement for his father, including a family yeshiva, even in the land of impurity.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
