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Beit Midrash
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One of the great miracles that led up to the freeing of our forefathers from Egypt was that of the frogs. "The Nile will be full of frogs, and they we will come out and enter your houses, your bedrooms, and your beds, and in the houses of your servants and in your nation, and in your ovens and your food" (Shemot 7:28). Chazal pick up on the proximity of mention of the oven and the food and point out that the food is near the oven when the two are hot, which shows us that the frogs entered the oven when they were being used for cooking, showing that the frogs risked their lives in order to sanctify Hashem’s Name. They derived that specifically the frogs that entered the hot ovens survived and were able to return to the Nile, while the rest of the frogs died and smelled up the Land of Egypt (Midrash Shochar Tov 28).
Chazal (ibid.) also tell us that Chananya, Mishael, and Azaria, who were thrown into a furnace rather than bow down to an idol, learned from the frogs. They reasoned that if the frogs, which did not have the merit of their forefathers, were able to miraculously survive when they risked their lives for Hashem, the sons of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, who are commanded to sanctify His Name, certainly are required to risk their lives to sanctify His Name.
We find the concept of being willing to go into a furnace coming up in another context. Tamar was about to be burnt to death for a form of adultery. She knew she could blame her father-in-law Yehuda, but decided that she was willing to die rather than embarrass him, if he were not ready to admit his involvement (see Bereishit 38:25). The gemara (Sota 10b) learns from this episode that a person should prefer throwing himself into a fiery furnace to publicly embarrassing his counterpart.
The conclusion is clear! There is nothing greater than a life of sanctifying Hashem’s Name. And there is nothing more despicable than to shame a counterpart in public!!
It is the job of parents, teachers, youth group leaders, and certainly rabbis to make every effort to prevent occurrences of shaming, of any sort, certainly when people use the new technology of social media. We have quickly learned that this powerful tool, which can certainly be used for good things, like gaining public support for good causes and other wonderful purposes, can also be used to cause horrible human destruction.
When educators allow the use of technology for social and educational connections, they must ensure that there is, in every circle of young people using it, an open adult monitor of the activity. He should get involved only when shaming or some other damaging activity is going on. These are matters of life and death.
Let us learn from the frogs and Tamar how to go about our lives properly. Do not embarrass; do not harm. Let us, rather, sanctify Hashem’s Name in the way we lead our lives.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.