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Beit Midrash
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The presence of an aron in battle at the time of David Hamelech is mentioned in the implied rebuke that Uriya (Batsheva’s husband) gave to David: "Could it be that the aron and Israel will be encamped in booths and my master Yoav and the servants of the king are encamped in the field … " (Shmuel II, 11:11). The Ri MiTrani asks: "Is it possible that David would send the aron to battle after the great honor with which he brought it to Yerushalayim?" The Abarbanel answers that this aron had neither the complete luchot nor the broken ones, and this is why it was not called the aron of the covenant of Hashem. Rather it was a different aron that had the efod and the urim v’tumim (garments of the kohen), which were used to get divine answers to crucial questions, asked on the people’s behalf by the kohen who accompanied them. According to this approach, they took the aron not for some type of spiritual significance that it had, but because, technically, it contained something that they needed to use.
We want to suggest an alternative to the explanation of why these elements of the kohen’s garments would be brought with the aron to battle. The strength of Israel is in its unity, which causes the Divine Presence to dwell among the people. The divine goodwill it brings overcomes the detrimental impact of various spiritual flaws, including even idol worship, as Chazal (Sifrei, Naso 42) learned from Hoshea (4:17). Peace is so great that even if Israel are worshipping idols but they have peace between them, it is as if one could say that the Satan is unable to harm them.
The urim v’tumim had the names of all the tribes engraved on stones and are a symbol of unity. That is why they are taken out to battle, in a special aron, which lends them added importance. This is a great ensurer of success.
It is based on this idea that the Meshech Chochma explains the disappearance of the use of the urim v’tumim after the time of David. In the time of Shlomo, the seeds of disunity were sown, and soon after his death the nation was split into two kingdoms. Thus, the urim v’tumim could not be used as it would bring to the fore the lack of unity.
In this way, the urim v’tumim were like the keruvim, which would be facing each other on top of the kaporet. While the classical explanation is that this displayed the love between Bnei Yisrael and Hashem, we can explain that when they represented the people looking at each other, the nation was considered as "doing the will of Hashem."
Next week we will continue to develop another element of the aron, and learn why Uriya invoked it when addressing David. In the meantime we pray to merit the unity expressed on Purim: "Go gather all of the Jews." In that way we will be facing our brethren on earth and our Father in Heaven.
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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.