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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Passover - Pesach
- The Month of Nissan
The nations of the world count from Tishrei; Israel counts from Nisan. We have a tradition that Nisan is the month of liberation: "In Nisan they were liberated; in Nisan, they are destined to be liberated" (Rosh Hashana 11a).
"Keep the month of spring" (Devarim 16:1). If we delve deep into what makes Am Yisrael unique, we will find that it is its proclivity toward renewal. If and when there are falls in their level, they are never permanent. It is like the cold and bareness of winter, which prepare for a new flowering. Failure is never the final word.
Egypt was the metal caldron from which a new nation emerged. The exile in Babylonia was the place where the evil inclination toward idol worship was destroyed. 2,000 years of exile were also not able to cease the continuity of the nation, but rather it gave us a new desire for national life, with a new grasping of our place in the Land of our Fathers.
From where does the constant power of renewal come? What is the secret of our survival? What is our secret weapon? It is not tanks or our fighting spirit. The nations of the world have plenty of that. This is what confounded Moshe, and Hashem answered him: "See it and sanctify it." The ability to renew comes from the ability to sanctify.
Where is the wellspring from which our forefathers drew water? "I am a wall" – this refers to Torah; "and my breasts are like towers" – this refers to shuls and study halls (Pesachim 87a). Even when we were in exile in foreign lands and we appeared to be totally enslaved, we guarded our independence and our uniqueness. There, in those shuls, when we got together in those spiritual fortresses, we dreamed the dream of the return to Zion, the dream of the return of the Kingdom of Israel. We kept the month of the spring; we preserved in our memories the hope of liberation. We knew that even if the day was distant, it would certainly come. "If it is delayed – wait for it."
The light of morning has begun to shine forth. Just when we thought that our nation was finished, there is the beginning of a new flowering and a new spring. On the other hand, the danger has not passed. Even as we stand on the cusp of emerging liberation, we must remember what the Torah commanded: "See it in this way and sanctify." When you see things in renewal, call upon it the name of Hashem. Do not see it as a chance occurrence – go and sanctify it.
Sometimes we hear people saying: "What is this work for you?" These people may be making the mistake of thinking that keeping mitzvot was needed only in the distant exile, to help prevent assimilation and that this danger does not exist in Israel. Some think that here a Jew is someone who sees himself as a Jew. However, this is not so, and those living here still need to know: "Drag along and take for yourself" (a play of words based on Shemot 12:21).
What is contained in the idea of Pesach? Two matters together. There is the idea that one pesach sacrifice can be used for all of Israel (Pesachim 78b), which hints at Jewish unity. On the other hand, when we are all together, we need to declare: "This is the feast of Pesach for Hashem" (Shemot 12:27).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.