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Beit Midrash
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But the end of this Sedra (chap. 24) takes a decidedly different turn, telling an esoteric, obscure story about the ascent of Moshe, Ahron & the 70 Elders to Har Sinai, & their dramatic encounter there with the Almighty.
In advance of their ascent, Moshe performs an elaborate, mysterious ritual. He builds a Mizbeyach at the foot of the mount, with 12 pillars representing the 12 Tribes. He then sends "the youth of Israel" to bring peace-offerings to
G-d. Moshe takes the blood of these offerings, throwing half of it on the Mizbeyach & then - after the nation takes the oath, ‘"We shall do, & we shall obey!" - Moshe sprinkles the rest of the blood on the people as the "seal" of the
brit. Moshe, Ahron, Nada, Avihu & the elders then go up the mount, where they "see Hashem," under whose "feet" is a sapphire brick, as "pure as the purest Heaven."
What can we make of this strange scene, & how does it connect to our sedra & its many commandments?
Rashi cites a Medrash that the sapphire brick represents the bricks which the Hebrew slaves made in Egypt, & is a memorial to all the suffering they endured there. Their devotion to G-d shines like a precious gem, & Hashem
looks upon that brick whenever His people fall short in their fulfillment of Mitzvot, such as those in our parsha. Then, rather than give in to His impulse to punish the sinners, G-d is moved to Divine mercy & forgiveness.
G-d is particularly affected by the blood of the young people, whose deaths serve as atonement for the entire nation. In their merit, the Brit (as with Brit Mila, also sealed with blood) is eternally upheld by the Almighty, no matter how
far we may stray from that initial, "Na’aseh V’Nishma."
This week, we mourn the brutal murder of a young Tzadik, Rav Itamar Ben-Gal, stabbed to death by yet another Palestinian terrorist – may they be driven out of our Land forever by our military & "Aish Ochelet," the consuming fire of Hashem. And may the blood of these Kedoshim atone for us, their "peace-offering" before Hashem bringing true & lasting Shalom to Am Yisrael.
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.