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Beit Midrash
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- Mishpatim
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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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.
