YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
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
fast navigation
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.