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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
In our parasha, we find that Bnei Yisrael "stood at the bottom of the mountain" (Shemot 19:17), from which the gemara (Shabbat 88a) learns that Hashem held the mountain over the people’s heads. About that great event at Sinai, when the people said "We will do and listen," the midrash (Shemot Rabba 42:8) says that they spoke differently than was in their hearts. But how could they have spoken deceitfully, if as a result of their great statement, the angels rewarded them by giving them special crowns (gemara, ibid.)?
We find that Bnei Yisrael soared up to the high level that enabled them to accept the Torah in an unnaturally precipitous manner (49 levels of impurity to 49 levels of sanctity). How did this occur? The turnabout was made possible by a unique revelation of the Divine Presence, especially at the Splitting of the Sea (Mechilta, Beshalach 3). The incredible revelation created a situation in which there was no room for doubts about Hashem, so that there was almost a suspension of free will. How can one refuse to accept the Torah and mitzvot when he clearly sees Hashem’s greatness?! This is the deeper meaning of holding the mountain over the people’s heads. It turns out, then, that Bnei Yisrael were not being deceitful when they said "we will do and listen," but rather because of their overwhelming experience, they were unable to have the decision percolate through their consciousness. This is the idea of there being a difference between their statement and their hearts.
How did they reach this level? It came from the unity which Chazal saw in the encampment at Sinai (see Rashi to Shemot 19:2). This is because every person has two types of spiritual power: that which emanates from innate spiritual qualities (segula); that which results from positive actions. The fact that even a sinful Jew is considered a Jew (Sanhedrin 44a) stems from the segula. However, the strength of this segula is predicated on the nation being unique and united, so the unifying factor impacts their souls. For this reason, the mutual responsibility of members of the nation for the sins of others began only when the nation crossed into Eretz Yisrael. Only when unified by acquiring the Land together could every individual be compared to various limbs of one body. The segula found full expression, so that any straying from the path of the Torah was antithetical to the national existence. We praise the unity in Israel because it ultimately necessitates that Torah will exist. At some point, the sinning will come to its end and the nation will return to fulfillment of the Torah. "He built the Heavens level upon level, and His congregation He founded on the land."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
