YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Shavuot
- Articles about Shavuot
This year, Shabbat & Shavuot are connected, & so their respective readings must also have a direct kesher. Sefer Bamidbar contains the well-known Mitzva of Pidyon Ha-Ben, the redemption of first-born sons, still done today. More on this in a moment.
The story of Rut is a compelling one, establishing the roots (pun intended) of the Davidic dynasty & Moshiach. Its central message, along with stressing the midot of Chesed & Emuna, is two-fold: Moshiach, & Geula, can come from the least-expected of places; and each & every person, no matter their background or humble beginnings or level of knowledge, can be an essential part of the process.
But often overlooked is the "story within the story," the poignant & impressive personal journey of redemption taken by Naomi. Here is a woman that loses everything of value in her life. She had notoriety, as the wife of the prominent Elimelech, a direct descendant of Nachshon, the celebrated prince of Shevet Yehuda. She had wealth, she had respect, she had two sons who themselves were quite distinguished citizens of Bet Lechem – Efrat.
But then, in a whirlwind of tragedy, she loses it all: First, she severs her connection with friends & family by leaving Eretz Yisrael. Her children marry non-Jewish women. Her husband loses his wealth. And then, one by one, her loved ones die. Alone, adrift, stripped of her former high status, she is reduced to begging, subject to shame & humiliation from everyone she encounters.
"Don’t call me Naomi, "pleasant," she tearfully pleads, "call me Mara,"bitter."
But Naomi somehow finds the inner strength to gather up her courage & start the long trek back to respectability & new life. The first step is coming home, to Israel, despite the embarrassment this engenders. Next is reaching out, via Ruth, to her kinsman Boaz, to resume her lineage. The Megila dramatically indicates the surrogate role Rut plays on behalf of her alter-ego Naomi. When Rut lays next to Boaz, the k’tav (the way the word is written, rather than the way it is pronounced) reads, "I (Naomi) will go to the granary, & I (Naomi) will lie there." And when a child is born, the neighbors declare: "A son is born….to Naomi!" Ruth may be the body performing these actions, but Naomi is clearly the soul.
Each year, when Shavuot comes, we stand again at the foot of Har Sinai. It is a brand new revelation, another chance to accept the Torah & renew our vows, our "Shavuot" with Hashem. No matter how far we may have strayed from
the Torah or its Mitzvot, we rediscover our "Ruts" & we, too, like Naomi, have a chance at Redemption – as a person & as a People.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
