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Beit Midrash
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- Noach
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
After the flood, Hashem made a covenant with the survivors that there would never again be a flood to destroy all of civilization. Commentaries wonder what the logic of such a promise is. If mankind’s behavior never warrants its destruction, then how could have Hashem brought on the mabul (flood) in the first place? And if mankind can deserve destruction, then why would Hashem promise not to give the proper punishment?
The Akeidat Yitzchak explains what changed after the mabul with an interesting thesis. The world before the flood deteriorated to a degree that demonstrated that it knew no limits or fears. Hashem could not allow it to continue that way. When ridding the world of the people and other vestiges of its decadence, He also introduced a concept that burrowed deep into the psyche of all future generations. The world was vulnerable to destruction if Hashem ruled that they deserved it. Paradoxically, even after Hashem promised not to bring on such massive destruction again, mankind internalized that it had to limit its corruption.
A further point that the Akeidat Yitzchak raises on behalf of the post-flood world is the fact that it was broken up into three groupings, according to the three sons of Noach. This, he says, ensures that even when one faction deteriorates dangerously in a certain direction, the others will not join in the same sins. They sin differently and separately, thus ensuring that the world will not fall to one great tragedy. (He explains the story of the Tower of Bavel in a way that it does not disprove his thesis about non-cooperation.)
Our modern, world community is impressively diligent in applying the lessons of the flood. Besides highlighting the flood with the UN’s symbol, we see that factionalism can still be broken up into threes, in a modern way. There are "three worlds" of socio-political groupings. Three major, monotheistic religions have been competing and fighting for the last millennium at least, with no sight of a let up. When one faction slips morally in a certain area, the other factions are there to remind it how it should be acting. (The criticizing faction may have been guilty of the same crime a few years before, but it enjoys showing how at the moment it is clean of the violation.) The United Nations is a great failure at creating world brotherhood and displaying moral consistency. However, the national infighting that skews so much of what goes on may have a part in the world’s fraternal checks and balances. This, paradoxically, according to the Akeidat Yitzchak, may help ensure that the world deserves escaping total destruction.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
