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Beit Midrash
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But I want to suggest there is yet an 11th Commandment, unwritten as it is. And that is the commandment To Love Israel. To support Israel, to cherish Israel &, in its fullest expression, to live in Israel.
In his epic work, Sefer Ha-Mitzvot, the Rambam does not count living in Israel as one of the 613 commandments. Many reasons have been offered as to why this Mitzva is conspicuously absent, but the most plausible opinion (given by Rav Kook, the Ohr HaChayim & others) is that living in Israel is so fundamental, so overarching in Jewish belief that listing it as "only" one of the 613 Mitzvot would actually diminish its stature & reduce its centrality.
Indeed, one can find references to Israel’s importance in virtually every single sedra in the Torah. And when Hashem first appears to "the Big Four" – Avraham, Yitzchak, Yakov & Moshe - He specifically relates to them the eternal connection between Am Yisrael & Eretz Yisrael.
Perhaps this is the clue to solving the oft-asked question: Who was the greatest of all converts: Yitro, or Rut? Both stand out in Jewish literature; Yitro with a parsha named for him (one of only 6 individuals so honored), and Rut with a whole Megila in her name that tells her compelling story.
But who is greater - the answer seems clear to me. While Yitro indeed receives a lot of kavod, he essentially disappears from our history. Rut, on the other hand, achieves eternity by being the ancestress of David HaMelech & Moshiach. Moreover, while Ruth is a popular, continuing name given to Jewish children (it was my mother’s middle name!), when is the last time you met a Jew named Jethro?!
I suggest that at least one main reason why this is so is that Yitro rebuffed Moshe’s many urgings to accompany him & the nation in their journey to Israel, while Rut enthusiastically joined Naomi in coming to the Holy Land. And this despite the hardship Rut & Naomi faced – being poverty-stricken & having to beg for sustenance in the fields. By tying themselves to the Land – which exists forever – their names also became immortal.
So as you stand in deference to the "Big 10," don’t ever forget about the Big – or perhaps the Biggest – 11th.
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.
