YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
Who in the world is not familiar with the story of Noach? This dramatic tale of spectacular survival has captivated humanity forever – the saga of the curious castaway who boards a ship & escapes to a Brave New World.
But as well-known as we are with Noach, we are far less understanding of the episode that comes near the end of the Sedra, the saga of the Tower of Bavel (or Babble). What is happening here? Why did people want to build a giant tower? Did they really believe they could ascend to the Heavens & battle G-d? What were they trying to accomplish, & how & why were their plans frustrated?
Rav Yochanan Zweig of the Miami Yeshiva offers a terrific - & timely – insight into these events:
Just three centuries after the Great Flood wiped out the world, demonstrating Hashem’s power & His problem with a populace that did not respect one another, along comes another generation that descends into darkness. The "Tower People" have discovered technology, in its earliest form. No longer resigned to live in mud huts or grass shacks, they now can build skyscrapers that are a testament to their advanced & mighty civilization. They challenge Hashem – the universe’s ultimate Creator – by proclaiming that they, too, are creators whose power knows no bounds. Indeed, they decide, they can tower over everything & everyone – even over Hashem.
They speak, as the pasuk says, with "safa echat," one language – the language of Me. They are "devarim achadim," of one purpose only – to make bigger & better products that will enhance their quality of life & allow them to harness, & then rule the world.
Sound familiar, anyone?!
Hi-Tech is indeed amazing, but as we become more & more focused on our own needs & pleasures, we lose sight of the bigger picture: We were created by Hashem in order to refine our souls, rather than merely reward our sensual desires. We live not only to build & amass things, but to perfect our behavior vis-a-vis the invisible, yet morally-attractive attributes of honesty, compassion, empathy & integrity.
Hashem declares that the language, the discourse, must be changed. The Tower People must be dispersed to the far corners of the world, where they will have to learn to get along with others, to understand that they do not have a monopoly on The Word; other cultures are valuable in their own right, even if they speak another language.
The world is preparing to welcome a new voice, a true hero to its midst. Avraham will personify a revolutionary concept: It is only Hashem who is One; the peoples of the earth are many, & each of them stands tall in his own right.
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
