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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
Pasuk 1- Hashem told Moshe that he and Aharon would be leader and spokesman, respectively, in the attempt to sway Paroh. Pasuk 2- Moshe and Aharon should speak to Paroh so that he should let Bnei Yisrael leave his land. Pasuk 3- Hashem would harden Paroh’s heart and do many miracles throughout then land. Pasuk 4- Paroh would not listen, and Hashem’s Hand performing great plagues would free Bnei Yisrael. (This is the pasuk that Rashi cited). Pasuk 5- Egypt would recognize Hashem’s Hand, which brought about the Exodus. Pasuk 6- Moshe and Aharon did as Hashem commanded. Pasuk 7- Moshe and Aharon were 80 and 83, respectively, when they spoke to Paroh.
Careful reading of these p'sukim (see our long article on the matter in Hemdat Ha’aretz, vol. 2) uncovers that there were two possible approaches to achieving the liberation from Egypt. The first one, hinted at in p’sukim 1-2, & 7 was to bring about the liberation just by means of their prophetic speech. Using this approach, there would have been no need for Paroh’s heart to be hardened to accept more plagues and miracles. Rather, Bnei Yisrael’s high level of belief would have had such impact on Paroh that he would have let them go based on words alone, obviating the need for miracles.
The second approach is described in p’sukim 3-6. Using this approach, it was the miracles and plagues that impacted Paroh and ultimately caused him to agree to the Exodus. On one hand, this approach did not require Bnei Yisrael to reach great heights in belief. On the other hand, the process of obtaining Paroh’s acquiescence had to be a more drawn out and complicated one.
Moshe chose the second approach as the one he felt was most appropriate for Bnei Yisrael. Therefore, as the series of miracles and plagues ran its course, Hashem reminded Moshe that He had told him that all of this was necessary only because Moshe was afraid to try to liberate the nation with speech alone.
Let us pray that we, who have seen so many miracles in our era, will merit witnessing the return to hearing Heavenly speech once again.
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
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Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
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.