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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
This phrase from our Sedra, always read before Rosh Hashana, is quite mysterious; what, exactly, are the "hidden" things, & what are the "revealed" ones? And why are there little dots floating above part of this sentence?
Rashi is also puzzled by this, & explains that the "hidden things" refer to sins which are hidden from society – for which the sinner alone, & not the community, will be held responsible; or to those sins that we ourselves do, without even realizing that we have sinned. Alternatively, it may refer to those Jews - & they are many, alas – who do not even know they are Jews, but will somehow be brought back eventually by Hashem to the fold of Am Yisrael.
Indeed, hundreds of thousands – even millions - of people living around the world descend from Jews, yet haven’t any inkling where they come from. It is estimated that a full 20% of the Iberian Peninsula’s population – 10 million people! – have Sephardic Jewish ancestry.
But what about those curious little dots?
If we read the opening section of the parsha carefully, we see a pattern emerge. First, Moshe tells the people that everyone in the nation has a role to play: From the oldest to the youngest; from the highest rank of leadership to the simplest water-carrier or wood chopper; men & women; those born a Jew & those who convert to Judaism.
Then we are told that we are not "standing" here alone; we represent all of our ancestors who came before us, who paved the way for us to reach this moment. If we ask; "Why do we merit living in Israel, while our ancestors – who invariably were more pious than we are – did not live to see this day?" The answer is that we stand on their shoulders; we can emerge from the "pit" of Galut because they stood so tall for so long, until we, in this generation, finally climbed up on their backs & emerged into Geula.
Finally, we are told that we will be held responsible by our future generations if we "mess up;" if we forfeit the Land due to our failure to appreciate our good fortune, & forsake the covenant we took upon ourselves at Har Sinai to always follow Hashem & His Torah.
To appreciate the message being sent, we must "connect the dots" to see the full picture. We are one, indivisible body of the Jewish People. All of us, past, present & future. No one is left out, every single Jew is an integral part of the whole. On the one hand, it’s an awesome, even frightening thought that we carry so much on our shoulders. But at the same time, it’s reassuring & inspirational to know just how broad those shoulders are.
May they support us as we ask Hashem for a New Year.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.