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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Terumah
Yet I want to suggest that the term "Teruma" means more than "donation," & goes beyond silver & seal-skin, coins and copper. Oh, no; Teruma is a lot more than that. Consider a Pasuk in next week’s Sedra of Tetzaveh: Ahron & his sons take part in an elaborate inauguration ceremony, during which numerous offerings (sacrifices) are brought. And then the Torah says (29:28): "It shall be for Ahron & sons an eternal statute from Israel, it is a Teruma; & it shall remain a Teruma from Israel, their Teruma to G-d."
No less than three times – in the same pasuk! – the word Teruma is used, & all in the connection of sacrifice & offering. Not just a contribution – like the spare change we take out of our purse or wallet – but something apparently deeper & much more personal, more valuable than pocket money. What does this Pasuk tell us about the nature of Teruma? For a clue, let's turn to Hollywood.
The movie Casablanca is one of the all-time great films ever made. Richard Blaine, the expatriate owner of Rick’s Bar & Casino, is approached by Victor Laszlo, a Czech resistance leader opposing the Nazis. Laszlo is stranded in Morocco & desperately seeking transit visas so he might escape to the West to continue his vital work. At first, Rick is resistant & cynical, unwilling to help.
"Why do you go on fighting?" he finally asks Victor.
"Why?!" says an incredulous Laszlo. "You may as well ask why I go on breathing! If we stop breathing, we die. And if we stop fighting for what we believe in, then we let the whole world down!"
Rick - himself a former anti-Fascist activist – relents, &, well, you know the rest (or you must see the movie!). But here’s the main point: Teruma is not just about writing a check. It’s about what we stand for & what we believe in, what we, as Jews, offer to the world: A spiritual ideal & a path to G-d; & a bulwark against Amalek, be it in the form of anti-Semitism or Islamic radicalism. If there is ignorance, we Jews provide light & enlightenment. If there is evil, we are at the forefront of doing relentless battle with it, even at the risk of great personal sacrifice. That is our great national Teruma, & if we fail to offer it, if we stop fighting, then we let the whole free world down.
Here's looking at us, kid.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
