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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Bereshit
The layout of the Creation story is to first present the broad, general outline of the 7 days of creation, & only later provide the details. This is most obvious in the creation of Man, as the Torah "fills in the blanks" quite a few p’sukim after the initial subject is recorded.
This is also true regarding the creation of the Earth’s vegetation. The Torah first says that G-d created herbs, grass & fruit-bearing trees on Day 3. Hashem then tells Adam on Day 6, "I have given you all that grows to serve as food for you." This is all in chapter 1.
But it is only in chapter 2 that we find a slight, yet significant revision: Yes, says the Torah, the potential for growth was indeed there, but it had not yet been realized:
"Now all the trees of the field were not yet on the earth, & the vegetation had not sprouted, for Hashem had not sent the rain, nor was there Man to work the soil." (2:5)
The missing agricultural ingredient was humanity: Only when man came to understand that nothing would grow without rain - & rain would not fall until man prayed for it! - & that the crops would not flourish without man’s effort to nurture & grow them, did the earth finally begin to bloom & blossom. Adam - whose name actually means "soil" – was the engine for the land to yield its amazing bounty & sustain the world for evermore.
I suggest that this is why the word, "V’hibar’am – when they were created," that introduces this topic, is spelled with an unusually small "Hay." The letter Hay, of course, stands for Hashem; I think the Torah is hinting to us that Hashem’s role is somewhat diminished - by design - in that He will not do all the work by Himself – Man must also be an integral part of this effort by both planting & praying.
Of course, this lesson is not restricted to agriculture. In each & every field, we humans must perceive what is missing, what is needed, & then reach out to Hashem to help us perfect that part of the puzzle.
One of the many miracles of modern Israel is our high-tech industry, where we do precisely this. We identify innumerable areas where life can be improved – from medicine to micro-chips to motoring - & then we invent products that solve the problem. We have learned Adam’s lesson well & used our intelligence & initiative to make this world infinitely better than we found it.
And you can "Bet" we’ll make it even BETter tomorrow!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
