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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
In the past, these days had a very different character; even Yom Kippur was a happy holiday (Mishna, Ta’anit 4:8). This day of spiritual purification was a very happy day, as everyone felt the sins being lifted from him and embraced his new self. Chazal refer to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur as "my light" and "my salvation," respectively (Vayikra Rabba 21:4), and light shone throughout. It appears that while for us the days find expression as days of judgment, in more ideal times they were felt as days of repentance and purification. But for us, they are Days of Awe rather than Days of Light.
What is the special light of Rosh Hashana, which allows the power of salvation to come forth on Yom Kippur? Chazal say on "you shall make an olah" (Bamidbar 29:2) that it is considered as if you became a new person before Hashem (Yerushalmi, Rosh Hashana 4:8). Rosh Hashana is the holiday of renewal, of removing the dirt of the past. One becomes a new person. Yesterday and last year disappear. We learn what there is to learn from the past … and move on from it. Even the greatest actions of the past are relegated to the past. The navi refers to "melumada," a learned action, one of rote, as a despised concept (Yeshaya 29:13). Returning to the same action and the same thought without inserting today’s new spirit of life is insufficient.
This is where the independent mitzva of teshuva (repentance) comes in. Even if one fulfilled all the mitzvot of the Torah except for this mitzva, he is missing something. We must renew ourselves, not just when there is something horrible that needs to be shaken off, but even when we are basically good. Our actions still must not be old and stale, of rote and habit. One must stand before his Maker with new emotion, pain, and joy. Let our wrapping of tefillin and saying of the same words of tefilla use a new spirit. Let us realize what we are doing and what we are thinking.
Then we can feel a new spirit every day and feel like new people. The navi distinguishes between those who do and those who do not serve Hashem (Malachi 3:18), and Chazal say this refers to the difference between one who reviews his studies 100 vs. 101 times (Chagiga 9b). The obvious question is that there does not seem to be a stark difference between the two people. Rav Simcha Zisel of Kelm explains that the additional review is a sign that he feels the experience as something new – with a new spirit that we can call serving Hashem. When one breaks the routine, he is serving Hashem.
Renew your actions during the upcoming month and year; then the mitzvot will warm us up and encourage us … and make us new and improved people.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts