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But while the Torah makes crystal-clear the absolute necessity for us to fight for our land & our safety – indeed, those who are "counted" in the numerous censuses in the Torah are those who are eligible for the army! – there are
categories of soldiers exempted from military service:
- Those that have built a house, but have not yet taken residence;
- Those that have planted a vineyard, but have not yet enjoyed the fruits of their labor;
- Those who have become engaged to a woman, but are not yet married.
Many explain that in these particular situations, the soldier will be so mentally pre-occupied, or so depressed, that he will not be able to properly wage battle, & so may do harm to himself and/or his fellow soldiers. But there is a deeper message here: These exemptions, represented by Wife, Home & Profession, are the essential goals which the Torah stresses a person should pursue in life; in short, what ultimately will define us.
A wife completes a man; until he marries his soul-mate, he is only half a person (some would kiddingly say that when he marries, he is finished!). The home we build – not just the physical structure, but the family we create, the moral standard we set, the place we occupy in the community – describes who we are (thus the Hebrew nickname for an upstanding member of society is a "Bal HaBayit," a "master of his house(hold)." And finally, the profession we choose constitutes our contribution to the universe, how we employ our particular gifts & strengths to help perfect the world & further Hashem’s plan. Indeed, many Jewish names actually are (or were) professions; Goldsmith, Schneider, Singer, etc.
So crucial are these elemental pursuits, that Hashem sets aside the requirement for military service (in a non-obligatory war, we should note; in an obligatory war, when Israel is threatened, everyone serves). But it also sends the message to each & every one of us - soldier or civilian – as to what we should all strive to accomplish in the course of our time on Earth; what G-d expects of us.
This, too, we now can say, is based on the Sedra’s theme of Tzedek, for to do any less would simply not do justice to this precious gift of life which the Almighty has graciously bestowed upon each & every one of us.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
