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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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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.
