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Beit Midrash
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What an unusual, mysterious phrase this is! What does it mean? Which things are hidden, & which revealed? And why are there 11 little dots above 3 of the pasuk’s words?
One idea is that while sins hidden from the public are the sole responsibility of Hashem to prosecute, sins which are openly committed fall within the province of the community to deal with & correct, because of the principle, "Kal Yisrael Eravim Zeh L’Zeh" – each Jew has an obligation to - & is a guarantor for - every other Jew.
Another approach is that the sins we ourselves are unaware of having transgressed, sins we did accidently (such as forgetting it was Shabbat and turning on a light) or out of ignorance of the Halacha, will not be fully held against us by G-d.
But there is yet another meaning to this pasuk that I find particularly topical in today’s Jewish world.
Rashi (in another place) suggests the pasuk is referring to those Jews who, over the centuries, became so assimilated into foreign societies that they themselves forgot that they were Jewish! Yet in the end of days, they will finally be re-identified as Jews – perhaps by Moshiach, who it is said will have the power to look at anyone & immediately recognize his lineage - & reunited with the totality of Am Yisrael.
I want to suggest that perhaps we do not need to wait for the End of Days in order to realize this amazing prophecy. Perhaps the phrase, "We & our descendants" in the verse is coming to tell us that using the advanced technology of today, we can search for, "reveal" & connect to the literally millions of people with Jewish roots & Jewish DNA, & bring them back into the fold. Such people exist in Spain, Poland, Russia, Africa, India & elsewhere; kal hakavod to all those pioneering heroes who are finding & bringing back these "hidden" Jews.
But the key is to bring them back TO ISRAEL! Only here in the Jewish State can they truly end their wandering & be a full-fledged member of our nation. Otherwise, they may simply get caught up in more assimilation & be lost once again.
As for those curious 11 dots: The gematriya (numerical value) of the letters below them add up to 312. That number 312 equals, among other things, Or L’Yehudim (A light unto the Jewish People); Gadol im Katan (the big and the small); Hachzara L’Mutav (a return to the good) & Hee Ha-Aretz (this is the Land) – as well as the word Shoa. Taken together, it spells out the powerful message that we must be a light to all Jews, & we must bring these lost brothers & sisters - the big & the small, the old & the young - back to their good origins, in this land. That is the only way to save them from a future Shoa - catastrophe, & re-unite them with their rightful destiny.
May Hashem unite all of Am Yisrael, & may this New Year bring a final Geula in rebuilt Israel & Yerushalayim.
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?
The Torah Perspective Accepting Hashem’s Kingdom
Aroch Siach, Yamim Noraim, an address from 5714 (1953)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
