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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Pkudei
The matter of chillul Hashem plays a role in several of the parshiyot read this time of year (Ki Tisa, Pekudei, Parah), as we will explain. First in Ki Tisa, after the sin of the Golden Calf, Moshe went up to the mountain and tried to undo the harsh divine judgment against Bnei Yisrael. Moshe argued: "Why should Egypt say: ‘He took them out in a situation of evil to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from off the face of the land’? Return from Your anger and back away from the evil to Your nation" (Shemot 32:12). In other words, if Hashem would destroy Bnei Yisrael, it would be a chillul Hashem.
The haftara of Parashat Para bemoans a different example of chillul Hashem. Due to Bnei Yisrael’s sins, the nation will be scattered throughout the Diaspora. When their situation is recognized and internalized by the nations, "They will desecrate My Name, as [other nations] will say about them, ‘They are the nation of Hashem, and they left His Land.’" Only when they return to the Land will Hashem’s Name be sanctified once more. (Yechezkel 39:16-20). Rashi points out, from one of the uses of singular in these p’sukim, that Hashem listens to the captors saying that Hashem had no ability to save them. This, of course, is a tremendous chillul Hashem.
In this week’s parasha, we see a serious attempt to eliminate chillul Hashem. The Torah gives an exact listing of the gold, silver, etc. that the leaders accumulated in preparing to make the Mishkan. Rabbeinu Bachyei explains that Moshe gave an exact accounting so that people would not claim that more was received and syphoned off before being given to the Mishkan workers to use. The midrash (Shemot Rabba 51:1) attaches this account to a pasuk in Mishlei and points out that just as it is important to do what one needs to do in relation to Hashem, so must he fulfill his obligations in relation to, and in the eyes of, people. This is along the lines of the halacha that one who went into the office that held the Mikdash funds had to go in with no pockets or wallets so that no one would claim that he took coins. This is as the p’sukim instruct: "You shall be clean in regard to Hashem and in regard to Israel" (Bamidbar 32:22), and "He shall find grace and good judgment in the eyes of Hashem and man" (Mishlei 3:4).
We have learned that a leader, whether a spiritual or a political one, has to be very careful about chillul Hashem, which can occur when there are suspicions of impropriety against him. Let us be careful to sanctify Hashem’s Name and merit the fulfillment mentioned in the haftara we cited: "They will say, ‘This land that was desolate will be like the Garden of Eden,’ and the desolate and destroyed cities will be inhabited when they are reinforced" (Yechezkel 36:35).
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.
