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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
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Now, there is no one in the Torah whose story is more about growth than Yosef, the teen who would be Tzadik. Yosef begins as a rather arrogant, self-centered kid. He knows that he is the favorite of father Yakov – the Torah even tells us so! (37:4). In fact, as Rav Soloveichik says, he was given the "coat of many colors" as a visible sign to all that he has been designated as the heir-to-be in the family.
As the young son of Rachel – Yakov’s "favorite" wife – he knows he is being groomed – literally! The Midrash tells us that he spent long hours in front of the mirror curling his long black hair. No wonder Yakov remarks in his final bracha to Yosef (49:27): "Yosef is beautiful to behold; all the girls climb up high just to get a glimpse of him!"
Yosef informs on his brothers, who resent his chutzpa & his superiority complex. Yet eventually, he goes to seek them out in Shechem, a place that exemplifies the unity of the siblings, for here they banded together to save their sister Dina. He declares to the Unknown Stranger, "Et achaiy anochi m’vakesh – it is my brothers I seek."
But by then it is too late. The brothers are so resentful of Yosef that it says, "V’lo yachlu dabru l’Shalom;" they could not even greet him with "L’Shalom." Remarks the Vilna Gaon, we say "Lech l’Shalom" to a live person, but "B’Shalom" we only say to a dead person. The brothers already considered Yosef dead to them; & so they prepared to either kill him or sell him into slavery & be done with him.
But that is when Yosef’s growth really begins. He befriends those even less fortunate than he is, in the dungeon; he agrees to help interpret their dreams. He humbly says to Paro, "I’m no miracle-worker, it’s Hashem who has the power!" And even when he becomes Viceroy & is surrounded by luxury & Kavod, he still is haunted by his past. He is desperate for his family, & so he keeps asking his brothers, "Ha-od avi chai? Does my father yet live?"
Ultimately, Yosef will re-unite with his family in one of the most emotional & dramatic scenes in all of literature. As Yakov & Yosef finally hug one another, they embody – says Rashi – the two Batei Mikdash, the place where all Jews will someday gather to unite in spiritual glory. Yosef will sustain & support his entire family, situating them in Goshen, where they will greatly multiply and prosper – at least temporarily.
Significantly, Yosef will be the first of the brothers to die. This is a graphic demonstration of his mida of self-sacrifice, a trait that runs in the family of Rachel, who also sacrificed for her sister Leah so that she could marry Yakov; & Esther, who risked her life to save the Jews of Persia. Yosef thus has comes full circle: The self-centered teen has grown into the selfless Tzadik.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
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.
