YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
actually occurred).
It’s hard, if not impossible, for us to relate to these far-out scenarios. But on an allegorical level – especially since the Book of Devarim is essentially about Moshe’s final Musar to the Jewish People – these items may very well make a whole lot of sense, both for then, as well as for our own era & contemporary society.
The rebellious "child" is Am Yisrael, for we have indeed strayed as a nation from the path that has been set out for us; we have not always listened to the voice of our "Father" – Hashem, nor our "mother," our ancestors. In the "battle" that we fight constantly against our own inclinations, we have often succumbed to the perceived beauty of the "Eshet Y’Fat To’ar," the captive woman who represents the forbidden fruit of sin. We desired her, we took her as our close companion, our lover. But when we removed her glossy, shiny cover – when we "shaved her head" & "trimmed her fingernails" - we saw that the sin wasn’t nearly as attractive as it was when it first seduced us & appealed to our lesser, baser inclinations.
But all is not lost. For just as with the man who has two wives - & wishes to favor the child who is born to his more beloved second wife – Hashem will not allow His firstborn, however scorned, to be superseded by that second child. Even if we, the Jewish People, at times take on the guise of a non-believer; even if another nation appears to be more pious & G-d-fearing than us, Hashem still "recognizes" His children, for deep down he knows that we will return to
Him & assume our rightful status.
The word "Yakir-recognize" is connected to "Yakar – precious." Like a person who sees his long-lost relative after a very long time apart (as happened dramatically this past week in Korea), Hashem instantly recognizes His chosen people & loves us – if not for what we are now, then for what we inevitably will be.
And so Moshe Rabbeinu, ever the quintessential teacher, is sending us a veiled, yet vitally important message in the opening p’sukim of Ki Tetze. He is telling us that life is a constant battle between right & wrong, between good &
evil, between faith & the failure to appreciate the unique connection we have to G-d. He is telling us to soldier on, until we win both the battle and the war for our soul.
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.
