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Beit Midrash
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liberated, with hand raised high, leaving Egypt & all its troubles behind. And then, just as we thought we were in the clear, comes the fearsome sound of Paro’s cavalry & chariots en route to wipe us out. Was this G-d’s plan all along? Why tease us with seeming freedom, only to whisk it all away & drown our hopes & dreams. How could He do this to us?
The answer is in the first 5 words of our Sedra: "Va’y’hi B’Shalach Paro Et Ha’am – And it was when Paro sent out the Jewish nation….." Huh? Are you kidding?! Paro sent Bnei Yisrael on their way? Paro is the one who gets the credit?! When the Almighty hears the Jews say these words, He reacts fiercely: "Looks like My People need another, compelling demonstration that it is not Paro, but the hand of Hashem that protects & saves Am Yisrael."
And that lesson, of course, is the Splitting of the Sea, after which the nation does indeed finally get the message: "Vaya’aminu B’Hashem u’v’Moshe Avdo."’
I suggest that Hashem was not reacting with anger – although the Torah does record in numerous other places that G-d certainly can & does have a temper (where do you think we get ours from?!). No, I think Hashem is trying to cement into our psyches, for all time, the truism that our help, our strength, our salvation comes from one source & one source alone: Shamayim.
Yes, there are clearly times when it appears that the Jewish People are being aided or even rescued by actors of flesh & blood. These people & nations must surely be profusely thanked; we must show our sincere Hakarat HaTov for all they do for us. But at the same time, we must not forget that Harbay Shluchim L’Makom, Hashem appoints many messengers to carry out His will, in the guise of natural events & mortal human beings. They, indeed, are the actors; but Hashem bi’Kvodo u’v’Atzmo is the producer & director.
Perhaps that is why this most famous & stunning of miracles – K’riat Yam Suf – is specifically chosen to deliver this powerful message. The sea is unique, in that its essence is hidden. When you look out at the ocean, you have no idea how deep it is; its depth is concealed beneath the waves. Only when you "dive in" do you have an idea just how mighty & magnificent the sea really is.
This lesson must never be lost on us, particularly in Israel. Yes, we have great, smart people & brave IDF soldiers who guide & protect us. But the REAL power lies beneath the surface; we must never, ever fail to SEA that!
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.
