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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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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.
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.
