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Beit Midrash
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the opening phrase of the Parsha: "When you shall come to the land which I am giving you...." that is, Israel.
But wait a moment - is it so clear?! Why does Shmita adhere only to the Land of Israel? Why don’t ALL Jews practice Shmita wherever they live, on whatever land they own? After all, there are other agricultural-type laws that
apply equally to Israel & the Diaspora: We may not plow with two different types of animals, or muzzle an ox anywhere we farm, or graft certain plants together; we raise up a Lulav & Etrog anywhere we live, etc.
And as for this phrase, "When you come to the Land," well, that same phrase preceded the Mitzva of the Omer in last week’s Sedra. And while we no longer bring an Omer offering today (anywhere), we do observe the counting of the Omer in Israel and in Chutz L’Aretz!
I suggest, therefore, that Shmita is sending a special message to us: THE LAND OF ISRAEL IS NOT LIKE ANY OTHER LAND! For while all land has life within it, Eretz Yisrael has something extra - a neshama! It not only lives, it feels.
When we are exiled from it, the land mourns - like a barren woman - & will not produce its fruit. When we come back to Israel, the Land rises up & rejoices – "the mountains dance like rams" - as we say in Hallel. And when we observe Shmita, the Land has compassion upon us & produces an extra-large harvest in the years preceding the 7th, taking special care to provide us with enough produce to last almost three years.
Five times in the five p'sukim that describe Shmita, the Torah mentions the word Shabbat. The Torah is telling us that just as man works 6 days & rests on the 7th, so the Land does its work for 6 years & then rests on the 7th. Yet it’s telling us even more than that: Shabbat adds a unique dimension to humanity. Daily life is about working, sustenance, conquering the earth & mastering our environment. Shabbat is the neshama that invigorates our life & gives it purpose, meaning, redemption - & a glimpse of Olam Haba.
That is the reason why Shmita applies only in Israel: The Mitzva of nourishing the soul of the land can only be done in the sole place where the eternal soul of the Jew resides, & that, of course, is Israel.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
