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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tavo
Our Sedra contains a "pledge of allegiance" of its own. In a rather unusual ceremony, 6 of the Shvatim would stand on Har G’rizim (near Shechem) & 6 would stand on Har Eival below them in the valley. The leaders of the Levi’im would pronounce 12 blessings & curses – diverse Mitzvot between Man & G-d, Man & his fellow Man, legal & moral imperatives - & the tribes would respond with "Amen!" This was a kind of "rite of passage" - literally! - that accompanied our entrance into Israel, as we declared openly & publicly that Hashem & the Torah would be our primary guide & guidebook in the new land.
But this ceremony was essentially one-sided; Hashem (via the Levi’im) would tell us what was expected of us, & we would proclaim our assent. As Moshe declares in no uncertain terms: "You will listen to the voice of Hashem, & do all his Mitzvot & decrees." (27:10)
But there is another fascinating passage in the Sedra that is decidedly not one-sided, but rather a two-way street. Says the pasuk, "Et Hashem he’e’marta hayom lih’yot l’cha la’lokim…..v’Hashem he’e’mircha hayom lih’yot lo l’am segula – You have declared today that Hashem will be a G-d for you; and Hashem has declared today that you will be his most treasured nation."
This is a profound message most fitting for Elul – "Ani L’dodi, v’Dodi Li." G-d is telling us that we have a mutual pact & partnership between us; each of us has our own responsibilities & requirements. It is not a master-slave relationship, a "my way or the highway" arrangement. It is about respect & reverence that goes both ways.
One Rosh Hashana night, a Chasid had a dream in which G-d appeared to him. When he awoke, he ran to tell his Rebbe what happened. "Rather boldly," said the chasid, "I spoke out & said, ‘Hashem, it seems clear to me that as much as I need you, You need me! For without me & others like me, who would keep Your Mitzvot?! Who would study Your Torah?! Who would pray to You?! And so let’s make a deal; I will continue to follow Your ways, & You grant me & my family a New Year of Life & blessing.’
And you know what? G-d agreed to my proposal!"
The Rebbe grabbed his student by the collar & cried, "You fool! If you already had the Almighty exactly where you want Him, why didn’t you demand the Moshiach?!"
There is a time to be soft-spoken, & a time to be outspoken. This Rosh Hashana, let us pledge to keep our part of the bargain, & humbly request of G-d to keep His.
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.
