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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Behar
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.
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.