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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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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.
