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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
Let us explain the matter by looking more closely at the comparison to Moshe and Shmuel. The approach of these two great men was very different from that of Noach. Noach’s whole generation was corrupt, and he and his whole family remained on a high spiritual level, as we see that all of them received a prophetic message (see Bereishit 9:8). In contrast, Moshe and Shmuel sacrificed themselves for their nation, but Shmuel’s sons did not follow his path (Shmuel 8:3) and Moshe’s sons did not come close to his level. The midrash [editor- we did not find the exact source] attributes the failure of Shmuel’s sons to the fact that Shmuel was so occupied with the needs of the public, and it is likely that the same is true of Moshe’s sons. Thus, we are talking about a sacrifice of leaving one’s children largely "unattended" in order to save the generation.
In the case of Noach, while we do find criticism of Noach for being underactive in dealing with his generation, he still had the merit of creating the bridge to the rebuilding of the world. Thus, he had elements that deserve our praise and elements that deserve our scorn.
If we compare all of the above to Avraham, we will find that he merited having success in both spheres. On the one hand, he had the "souls that he made in Charan" (Bereishit 12:5). On the other hand, he had success in raising his successor, Yitzchak.
If we want to pursue the reason behind these distinctions, it would seem that the difference between Noach and Avraham was their wives. Sarah and Avraham are introduced as a spiritual team. The matriarchs are parallel to the patriarchs: "Avraham converts the men, while Sarah converts the women" (Bereishit Rabba 39:14). In contrast, Noach’s wife is anonymous; neither her name not her actions are revealed to us. Apparently, there was nothing about her that was worthy of honorable mention. While Avraham could give over his chinuch responsibilities to his wife, Noach apparently could not, and that took away from Noach’s ability to impact on others to his full potential.
It is clear that Shmuel could only become who he became because of his great mother, Chana. We do not know a lot about his father, Elkana, and we know nothing about Elkana’s other children from his other wife. It was Chana who prayed for the child, who shaped his character, and who filled him with deep spirituality with her "lullabies." Shmuel did not merit to have a wife as great as his mother, and therefore his children did not turn out as they should have.
It is not that we just need great men; we need great women. We need more Chanas if we have hopes of more Shmuels.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
