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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The king may not acquire too many horses (Devarim 17:16) nor marry many wives nor accumulate much gold and silver (ibid.: 17). The Torah commands him to write a sefer Torah and take it with him so that he will fear Hashem (ibid.:18-19). The instructions are intended to keep him from being haughty or straying from the mitzvot of the Torah (ibid.:20).
The last few p’sukim deal with safeguards for the personal state of the king. But are the matters of accumulating horses, wives, and riches personal or public ones? The Rambam (Melachim 3:3-6) stresses the personal, psychological realm. He says that even one horse that is used just for his honor (and thus does not directly impact on the nation) is forbidden. Similarly he talks about wealth’s likelihood to cause haughtiness and compares it to drinking excessive wine, a weak point of kings. In regard to wives, he says that even if he had one wife with whom he cohabited incessantly "like the rest of the fools," it would be forbidden.
Other Rishonim present the matter differently. Rashi says that he should not have more horses than he needs for his chariots, so that he not cause Jews to go down to Egypt in search of horses. Ibn Ezra says that he should not collect too much gold and silver from the people as a form of punishment. In other words, there should be limitations on high taxation. The Ramban suggests that limiting horses discourages the king from over-reliance on his armed forces. All of these explanations share the element of addressing a specific national concern. Translating these concerns into modern terms, these binding tips relate to the dealings of the three most important ministries in Israel and other states.
The lesson of laws of horses is addressed to the defense apparatus. Do not rely too heavily on a powerful standing army. It places an economic drain on the country. It can also compromise the soldiers’ ability to function normally within society and family, while they are preoccupied with army service for unlimited periods of time.
The matter of wives is actually a warning to the diplomatic corps. Historically, royal marriages with foreign princesses were a major means of advancing international treaties. While diplomacy is good, its indiscriminate use can ruin the fabric of society.
The Torah also has a word for the Ministry of Finance. While the government should try to facilitate healthy, personal wealth, these laws teach us that a life of indulging in luxuries is morally dangerous, both for the king and the citizen.
In brief, our parasha can be instructive in trying to properly operate our Jewish State.
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.
