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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
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It is not possible to fully appreciate words of Torah without having made a mistake about them. We recognize light only through the experience of darkness. We do not feel the extent of our connection to Eretz Yisrael and the extent of the connection of the Jews of the Diaspora to Eretz Yisrael without visiting chutz la’aretz.
Here, Eretz Yisrael represents a grand aspiration for a full Jewish life that a Jew in the Diaspora does not believe he can bring to fruition. When one is abroad, Eretz Yisrael is like a mikdash. Whatever exists in Israel is not evaluated according to its material aspect, but it is elevated to spiritual values.
Even if Jews abroad have freedom and feel totally secure and steeped in plenty, even if they have authentic Torah and yeshivot, it is not the same thing. It is true that the Shechina goes to the place where Bnei Yisrael are sent into exile (Bamidbar Rabba 7:10), as they experienced in Egypt, where yeshivot were set up (ibid. 95:3), but it is still different.
The main thing that is missing here in chutz la’aretz is not the element of the Shechina that is for the purposes of man. The bigger problem is that which is missing as far as the dwelling of the Shechina for the purposes of Hashem – the idea of "Israel, that in you I [Hashem] will be glorified" (Yeshayahu 49:3). It is the situation in which a holy nation lives as a self-sustaining country, and puts the forms of government in place. Their nation is built not around the competition of athletes, taking journeys, or having a comfortable life. Rather they live as a nation in order to implement justice, seek the spiritual side of life, have the Shechina dwell, and thereby coronate Hashem in the world. The task of life, which is engrained in the blood of every Jew and makes him strive for such excellence, makes him want to connect himself to Eretz Yisrael.
Sometimes, due to the daily struggles, this matter is forgotten. That is why there is a value to hear from those who are coming from the outside and be reminded how special life in Israel is. We do not want this Land because of its material advantages. We want it because we feel that the content of our life is not complete without it. This we should remember even when things are trying.
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.
