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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Va'era
We have proven in the past that it took multiple discussions for Hashem to convince Moshe to accept upon himself the leading role in orchestrating Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. Apparently, the first encounter is presented in the beginning of our parasha, and a later encounter is actually presented earlier, in Shemot 3-4. A main difference between them is that originally Moshe was hoped to engineer the liberation based on the people’s belief based on the Divine Word. This was later replaced by their belief by means of miracles performed with Moshe’s staff. It would be only later that they would be able to change the leadership to one characterized by dibbur (see our book, Tzofnat Yeshayahu, pp. 198-209).
Prophecy is often referred to as davar (a matter) or dibbur (something which is spoken). The giving of the Torah as a whole is referred to as devarim ("These are the devarim that you will speak [tedaber] to Bnei Yisrael"- Shemot 19:6). The introduction to Moshe’s major prophetic address to Bnei Yisrael is referred to as "These are the devarim that Moshe spoke (diber)" (Devarim 1:1). We find "The davar that Yeshayahu prophesied over Yehuda and Yerushalayim" (Yeshayahu 2:1). This is then also an indication that when the Torah says that Yaakov’s reaction to Yosef’s dream of his brothers and parents bowing down to him was that he "guarded over the davar" means that he treated the dreams as a prophecy for whose fulfillment he waited (see Ramban 42:6).
We can also now better understand David’s answer to his older brother Eliav who was angry at David for coming to visit the encampment that was encountering the Plishtim. In it, David mentions the root davar several times (see Shmuel I, 17:28-30). The Midrash (Midrash Tanaim, Devarim 1:17) says that Yishai looked down on David because when he was younger he prophesied that he would grow up to destroy the places in which the Plishtim lived, kill a giant who is called Goliat, and build a Beit Hamikdash. While Yishai did not believe these were real prophecies, they actually were, and that is why David repeatedly used the word that hints at prophecy.
To return to where we began, our parasha uses the root daber to show that the upcoming liberation was intended to prepare Bnei Yisrael for the devarim at Sinai (see Shemot 19:6), which would turn our nation into "prophets and sons of prophets."
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
