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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Vayakhel
In cataloging the many & diverse objects & materials used in the Mishkan, our sedra of Vayakhel mentions the copper basin that was used to wash & prepare the Kohanim for their avoda. Rashi points out that this basin was made from mirrors donated by the nation’s women. Moshe was reluctant to accept the mirrors, for they were used to help the women make themselves attractive, so as to entice their husbands to be intimate with them. As such, Moshe felt that was not very tzanua, modest.
But the women were insistent. They felt that these mirrors were instrumental in helping the families in Egypt to re-populate, despite their husbands' depression & fatalism. It was the women’s ability to re-introduce passion into their lives that brought Bnei Yisrael back to its full strength. And so the pasuk adds, "asher tzavu petach Ohel Moed;" they massed in protest at the Tent of Meeting. And in a rare occurrence, Hashem overrules Moshe & tells him to enthusiastically accept the mirrors; they were perfectly suited to prepare the kohanim for their holy service.
Passion, you see, is not taboo in Jewish life. Quite the opposite – every Mitzva, every Minhag should be done with anticipation, excitement & unabashed passion.
Earlier in the parsha, we were told that the Nesi’im, the princes of the nation, had donated the precious stones for the Ephod. But the word "nesi’im" here is spelled deficiently; the two Yuds – which form the name of Hashem – are conspicuously missing.
The princes had decided to "hold back" to see what the general populace would donate, & then they’d "fill in the blanks" to complete the inventory. But the people responded so generously & abundantly, that virtually nothing remained. So the princes had to scramble to come up with the gems, & not be left out completely. Their intention was quite noble; they guaranteed that the needs of the Mishkan would be met, no matter what. But G-d was not pleased; he wanted everyone – pedestrian & prince – to be so filled with a fervor to help that they would rush forward as quickly as they could. When the Nesi’im delayed, Hashem "removed his name" from them to show His disapproval. (Later, at the Mishkan’s dedication, the Nesi’im would atone for their complacence & come forward first, enthusiastically, to bring their offerings.
The Eagles said it so well: "You're afraid you might fall out of fashion, & you're feeling cold and small. But any kind of love without passion, ain't no kind of lovin' at all."
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.