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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Yom Kippur
- The Essence of Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the holiest of days, has two diametrically opposed halachot. There is a strict requirement to "afflict" ourselves. On the other hand, Chazal relate great importance to eating on the day before it.
R. Yehoshua ben Chananya tried to learn from the pasuk, "You [Moshe] are going to lie with your fathers, and the nation will get up and act licentiously" (Devarim 31:16) that there is resurrection of the dead (it can be read, with difficulty, that Moshe will get up) and that Hashem knows what will happen in the future. He settles at the end that the pasuk proves only the latter, but why would one consider to read the pasuk referring to resurrection, which seems to "abuse" the pasuk?
[In the next section, Rav Yisraeli takes the people of his generation to task for certain important shortcomings in the national sphere. While this contains important lessons, we will not focus on them at this time.]
The Jewish People has almost unlimited ability to grow spiritually because they can use even that which is mundane in the world for sanctity. When Moshe was on Sinai for 40 days and nights without eating and drinking, it was not that he did not need sustenance, but that the sustenance came from the Divine Presence (see Shemot Rabba 47:7). Man is not sustained by bread alone but on all that comes from Hashem’s ‘mouth’ (see Devarim 8:3), as everything in the world is spiritual. It is just that we are not able to digest in that way, although Moshe was able to.
On Yom Kippur, there is a shadow of Moshe’s level in all of us, as this was the day that Moshe came down from Sinai the final time. The essence of the fast is refraining from physical activity, and we raise ourselves to the level of angels. That is why the haftara focuses on fasting, in a manner that discusses increased activity. For it is not a fast of lack of energy but of obtaining power through spiritual means. That is also why stress is placed on eating on Erev Yom Kippur. It is to teach that it is all the same. We can use the spiritual ‘food’ of the fast day the way we used the regular food the day before. Even though we cannot always be sustained in this manner, we must know that from the perspective of what Hashem provides, it is possible.
These ideas also explain why Bnei Yisrael falls steeply at times. We have a great appetite for spiritual food, but when we are not able to find it, we go looking for things that remind us of it. Simple avoda zara like other nations do does not suffice for a misguided Jew, as he is looking for more, even if it is in a more dangerous way.
For this reason, when Moshe died and was lost to Israel, the nation got up and adopted licentious tendencies in the broadest sense. The discussion of resurrection of the dead was not about physical death but about spiritual death. They need not stay dead; they can get up. That state is not natural for them, and they will be able to return to spiritual form.
What is needed is "great repentance, which reaches until His glorious throne" (Yoma 6:1). Not partial repentance, but one that transcends boundaries and impediments. We have experienced partial redemption, but that is not enough. We need geula shleima, a return to all of our spiritual greatness. This is what we pray for on these holy days.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.