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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Ki Tisa
In order to express complicated concepts in a simple manner, the Torah uses "key words" or "guiding words." These hint to the one who studies the texts what some of the main themes of the section are. The fact that the root nitzav is used twice in this section, post-Golden Calf, when the root is also found to describe Bnei Yisrael preparing to receive the Torah earlier at Sinai (ibid. 19:17), connects these two periods. Similarly the root is also present in the word matzeva, involved in Bnei Yisrael’s connecting to Hashem at that momentous occasion (ibid. 24:4).
We will suggest that all of these "linguistic" phenomena hint that after the forgiveness granted after the great sin, Hashem’s Presence returned to dwelling among the nation. This is because the root nitzav in many places is used in cases in which the Shechina is present.
When Avraham encountered the three angels after his brit mila, it says that they were nitavim alav (Bereishit 18:2). The famous ladder that Yaakov saw leading to the Heaven was also nitzav on the ground and was followed by Yaakov’s making a matzeva (ibid. 28, 12-18). When Yosef wanted to hint that his dreams were a result of a prophetic vision, he too invoked the verb nitzava (ibid. 37:7).
It is also used when Miriam was standing at a distance, watching what was happening to her baby brother, who was put in the Nile (Shemot 2:4). Chazal therefore stressed that already at that time, Miriam had been serving as a prophetess, saying that her mother would give birth to the savior of Israel. When he was born and the house became filled with light, her father was elated that she seemed right, but when they were forced to put him in the Nile, her father expressed his skepticism. She stood there (with the root of nitzav) to confirm her prophecy, i.e., that which the Divine Presence conveyed to her (see Megilla 14a).
Moving on to Tanach, the gemara (Sota 11a) relates that this root in the story of Hashem’s revelation to Shmuel for the first time was a sign of the presence of the Shechina. Amos (9:1) also tells of Hashem being nitzav on the altar. Finally, Tehillim (82:1) talks of Hashem being nitzav in the presence of a Jewish court. From here, we see that Hashem’s Presence is found in a beit din.
Let us pray that we will experience the return of a palpable Divine Presence, in general, and within the judicial system, specifically, as the pasuk describes the spiritual situation.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
