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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ha'azinu
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
The Song of Ha’azinu promises to take a look at Jewish history (Devarim 32:7) and does just that. Included is the following pasuk, which we will try to translate reasonably: "He (Hashem) found him (the Israelite nation) in a wilderness land and in a howling place of desolation; He surrounded him (y’sov’veihu), He taught him wisdom, He watched over him like the pupil of His eye" (ibid.:10). Different commentaries explain the wilderness to refer to the spiritual wasteland of Egypt and/or the physical desolation of the Sinai Desert, Bnei Yisrael’s home after the Exodus. The latter was a place where Bnei Yisrael showed trust in Hashem, both physically, by entering a place without food, water, or shelter, and spiritually, by accepting His Torah.
What does "y’sov’veihu" mean? Rashi brings three explanations: 1) He encircled them with special, Divine clouds; 2) He arranged them in a circle in the desert (or a rectangular perimeter, if you prefer); 3) He arranged them in a circle around Mt. Sinai. The first reference, to the clouds, is, according to a prominent opinion (Sukka 11b) that which we commemorate with our sukkot.
After Rashi finished explaining the whole pasuk, Rashi goes back to explain y’sov’veihu a second time, based partially on Targum Unkelus, as follows. He had them dwell around the Divine Presence, which was in the middle of the encampment, in the Mishkan, and placed them under four banners, in four directions. Why does Rashi tack on this additional explanation, without introducing it as an alternative explanation?
It is likely that Rashi’s new explanation is not an alternative but is complementary. The clouds that surrounded Bnei Yisrael protected them from dangers that might infiltrate from beyond the encampment. Yet, they had an additional effect. They insulated Bnei Yisrael in a way that enabled them to focus on that which they encircled from within. They were privileged to surround the Mishkan, which "housed" the Divine Presence and allowed Hashem to live within the people. Thus, the miraculous, external, physical Divine protection facilitated internal, spiritual introspection.
The sukka does a similar thing. We leave our homes and go outside where flimsy walls protect us from the elements and the neighbors. This reminds us that just as in the desert, we are really protected by Hashem. We should focus on the spiritual legacy that we have within, as we are joined spiritually by the ushpizin and even the tzeila d’m’himnuta, a level of extra Divine Presence. And although we do not find a Mishkan in our midst, we can look to the Heavens (as we cannot in our homes) to see "Hashem’s palace" and the place from which, according to some, the Beit Hamikdash will descend.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
