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Beit Midrash
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Our Sedra, of course, deals with the many laws of the fascinating Mitzvah of Sh’mita – when we let the land "rest" every 7 years. In an agricultural society – as Israel primarily was for centuries – this is certainly counterintuitive & unparalleled. Why did Hashem ordain it?
While there are those who want to say that laying fallow reinvigorates the nutrients of the soil, most agronomists are of the opinion that "taking off" a year does not necessarily result in a greater yield in the future. And so most authorities say Sh’mita was designed for one of two purposes: First, it strengthened our sense of faith in G-d & reinforced the truth that Parnasa, prosperity, comes only from the hand of Hashem & not from our own doing. Secondly, it allowed the farmer to "take a break" from his material concerns & devote himself for at least a while to spiritual pursuits – a true "Sabbatical."
But I want to suggest 2 other themes behind the Sh’mita. One is the message that "Eretz Yisrael Chai!" The Land of Israel lives, literally. Unlike all other pieces of real estate in the world, Israel’s land is alive – it feels, it sings, it rejoices, it even dances! And it rests, as we do. Pay careful attention to the Tehilim we say each Erev Shabbat in Kabbalat Shabbat & you will see this idea vividly expressed.
The second theme relates to the kind of lifestyle I believe Hashem wants us ideally to follow, a lifestyle that is not centered on amassing the greatest number of toys & engaging in conspicuous consumption. But rather about each of us becoming ecologically-minded & minimalist, at least when it comes to using – and not abusing – the Earth’s resources.
G-d promises that, if we cry out, we will be given a 3-fold produce in the 6th year, enough to last until the new crops are ready, after the Shmita year has ended. But what if we do not cry out? What if we have complete Emuna & totally trust Hashem to look after us? What do we receive then? The answer is that then we will not need a triple-crop at all (which results in triple work to be done when we harvest). Instead, we will miraculously be satisfied with the regular produce of the 6th year, which will somehow be sufficient for 3 years. Like Bubbie’s bottomless soup pot or Zayde Avraham’s endless Cholent, there will somehow be enough, & we won’t go hungry The bracha, you see, will be in the stomach, & not in the silo!
This blessing, if you stop for a moment & think, has been given to us all throughout our history. Even when we were denied employment, university, guilds or ownership of land, we did not starve, we stayed alive against all odds. Just "faith" the fact: believe, & you will receive.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.
