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Beit Midrash
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The closing section of our Sedra tells a rather mysterious story of a person – his name is never mentioned – who blasphemes the name of Hashem, & is subsequently executed by stoning for this act. Who is he? Why did he do what he did? What is going on here?
Rashi tries to throw some light on the incident. The man’s father was actually the Egyptian that Moshe had killed long ago, in response to the Egyptian’s attack upon a Jew who had discovered that his wife (Shlomit bat Divri) was carrying on an illicit relationship with the Egyptian (this is the only such liaison in the entire period of the servitude). Moshe killed the Egyptian by pronouncing G-d’s explicit name. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 58) learns from here that a non-Jew who strikes a Jew is subject to the death penalty, as it is tantamount to an attack on Hashem. Says the Gemara in the name of Rav Chanina: "One who hits a Jew on the chin is as if he hit the chin of the Shechina."
Remarkably, the same explicit name that Moshe used to kill the father of the blasphemer is the name that gets cursed by the blasphemer. In other words, his father was killed for an indirect attack on G-d, & his son takes it a step further & attacks G-d directly, leading to his execution.
Over the last week, we in Israel experienced a massive barrage of deadly missiles fired at us by Palestinian terrorists in an attempt to kill as many innocent civilians as possible. Our crime? We are Jews, & our enemies hate us precisely because of that. In truth, they - like Amalek - wish to attack G-d, & so - that being impossible - they strike out at Hashem’s first-born, the Jewish People. That is why they never refer to us as "Israelis," only "Jews." They understand that the terms are one & the same.
But our holy soldiers – who we honored this week by memorializing the fallen - stand between us & the terrorist murderers. They fight not only to protect the people of Israel from physical harm, but also to honor the name of G-d. For each time a Jew is hurt, the name of Hashem is defiled, while each time we strike back & punish the perpetrators, the name of G-d is sanctified.
Earlier in the sedra (22:17-24), the Torah taught the law that an offering to Hashem must be without blemish. Immediately after, the Torah states the great principle of Kiddush Hashem, one of only 4 Mitzvot that we are required to die for, rather than transgress. The connection between the two is crystal clear: When we honor G-d by defending ourselves & vanquishing our – and His – enemies – we remove the blemish of anti-Semitism and hatred of the Almighty that stands in the way of creating a more holy & G-dly world. May we have the will & strength to always persevere in this sacred struggle.
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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.