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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Bechukotai
Indeed, while the Sedra’s opening 10 p’sukim highlight the rewards & miracles that will be showered upon us (abundant rain being one of them!) if we do observe the Mitzvot, the next 28 verses dwell on the repercussions for severing our connection to G-d. Why does the Torah use almost 3 times the space for the "down-side," as opposed to the "up-side?" Is it because we human beings tend to do wrong, triple as often as we do the right things?!
Our parsha contains just the first installment of the Tochacha; the "sequel" comes later, in Parshat Ki Tavo in Sefer Devarim. There we are told that these curses come upon us "because we did not serve G-d with joy, with a full heart &
appreciation for all we have been given." (Dev. 28:47). But how does one acquire that elusive virtue of happiness? Can we simply force ourselves to be joyous?
I suggest that happiness derives from two main sources: First, an appreciation of what we have, not what we lack. Look at all the blessings that surround us every moment of every day: We live longer than any generation, we eat better, we have "creature comforts" galore that our ancestors never dreamed of. We’ve been given Hashem’s most precious gift – a strong, independent State of Israel - for which we prayed, day & night, for 2000 years. It is filled with Torah,
and innumerable spiritual spaces (our own blessed city of Ra’anana has 85 shuls!). Do we appreciate all this? Does it not perforce make us happy & grateful to G-d?
The second source of happiness lies in our ability not to take, but to give. When we give to others, we not only have a good feeling for having helped someone in need or brightened their day, we also recognize just how lucky we are to be in a position to give. That is why "Love/Ahava" – perhaps the greatest source of joy –has at its heart the root of "Hav," giving at its center. And perhaps that is why the section of the Torah that immediately follows the Tochacha in our
Sedra discusses the voluntary gifts & contributions that people could give to the Bet HaMikdash.
Why is so little space devoted to the Brachot? I suggest it is because achieving blessing – the cause and effect of happiness – is so easy to accomplish! You’re depressed or down? Take stock of all the good things you have. Say
"Thank You" to Hashem! Give a gift! And when the chance to do a Mitzva comes your way, Just Say Yes!
Rabbis in Midrash
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
