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Beit Midrash
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Let us look at elements of the p’sukim for hints at this idea. When the Torah describes that Yosef told his brothers that he had a dream, without getting into details, it uses the word "vayaged" (he told). When he relates the details, it says "vayomer aleihem" (he said to them). Rashi (Shemot 19:3) teaches that the former verb is the one used for harsh statements, whereas the latter is used when one wants to give off a feeling of softness. Furthermore, Yosef used the polite helping verb of "na" to introduce his description of the dream.
Regarding the dream itself, the brothers were tying sheaves together. Tying is a hint at unity and connection. They were also doing it in one field together. Furthermore, Yosef’s sheaf is described as "nitzava" (standing erect). This verb is one that is always used in the context of a revelation of the Divine Presence (see, among many examples, Bereishit 18:1-2, when Hashem was visiting Avraham; and ibid. 28:12 with the angels in Yaakov’s famous dream). This was Yosef’s way of expressing that everything that was going on was the Divine Will and not of his choosing. The brothers were not impressed, responding: "Will you be a king over us or will you have dominion over us? They continued to hate him due to his dreams and his words."
Next week we will discuss why Yosef’s dream was referred to at this point in the plural, if up to this point, there had only been one dream. Let us pray that by the light of the Chanuka candles, brotherhood will increase between all elements of the nation.
Rabbis in Midrash
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
