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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Bereshit
Hashem, whose spirit was over everything in the universe, will be described later as the G-d of Israel, in addition to the G-d of the entire universe. He is the same G-d before the world was created and after the world was created. Everything was created by His decree in a manner described as "indeed good," through His good will and desire to bring good to His creations.
Within all of this, the crowning glory of the creation, man, was created "by the hands of Hashem." This creation has a resemblance of sorts with his Creator, as the pasuk says: "In the form of G-d He created him" (Bereishit 1:27). As part of the initial creation, Adam was created, without any other titles – he was not a kohen, levi, or Yisrael. Just a simple Adam, and, as such, he acquired his status, his place in the Garden of Eden, and the merit of speaking with Hashem and being guided by Him.
Why was Adam created alone in his species? Chazal say that it is so that different families should not argue whose family was created first. There is equality within mankind – we all come from Adam, who was formed by "Hashem’s hand" in the form of G-d, which makes us all beloved (see Avot 3:14).
If we are to end up with an approach of "You chose us from among all the nations," why does the story start with equality? The Torah wanted the approaches of equality and chosenness to interplay and complete each other. "In the beginning" and "before the eyes of all of Israel" do not contradict each other. "All humans are beloved" does not contradict "Israel are beloved, and are called sons of G-d." After all, Chazal tell us that Bereishit means on behalf of reishit, which, in turn, is a reference to Torah and Israel, which are each called reishit in different places in Tanach. We are supposed to demonstrate what in the creation was supposed to make mankind worthwhile of all of that attention and show through which rules Hashem leads the world. While man, in general, can be described as being created in the "image of Hashem," some are fit to be called "sons of Hashem."
The expectation with which Israel was created was to give Adam his full significance and return nature to its fixed form, returning us to the lost paradise and thereby justifying creation. Bereshit, for the Torah, which was called reishit, and for Israel, which was called reishit.
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.