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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Family and Society
- A Nation and its Halachot
- Army and War
This week we will investigate the important opinion of the Rambam, one of the only poskim who wrote extensively even on matters that were not operative in his times, including the workings of the Israelite army. In his Commentary on the Mishna, he explains the importance of soldiers being Jewish: "so that their merit and the merit of their fathers will help them." However, there is no mention of such a concept in the Yad Hachazaka, his code on Halacha. Apparently, he posited that the opinion that participation in David’s army is an indication of Jewishness is not accepted according to Halacha. We will prove the Rambam’s opinion on this topic from two additional directions.
Someone asked R. Avraham the son of the Rambam (Shut 25) about the lineage of Doeg Ha’Adomi and Uriya HaChiti. R. Avraham says they were geirim (usually translated as converts), and cites his father as saying that Uriya was a ger toshav (one who does not convert fully to Judaism, but rather accepts upon himself enough mitzvot to be allowed to live in the Land). (This opinion has fascinating consequences regarding the relationship between David and Uriya’s wife, Batsheva. However, that topic is far beyond our present scope.)
The question that now begs an answer is: according to the Rambam, what ensured success in the battles of David’s army? The answer can be found in the Rambam’s Yad Hachazaka (Melachim 7:15). He writes that when one is in the process of waging battle, "he should lean on the Savior of Israel and know that he is fighting on behalf of the united Name of Hashem. He should not think about his wife or children … Whoever fights with all his heart without fear and his intention will be to sanctify His name is promised to not have any damage." He brings corroboration from Avigail’s praise of David for his dedication to fight "Hashem’s wars" (Shmuel I, 25:28-29).
It follows that according to the Rambam, success in battle is not based on the merit of one’s forefathers but on the merit of his belief in Hashem, reliance on Him, pushing off personal thoughts, and his intention to sanctify Hashem’s Name. (Thank you to my talmid Rabbi Adam Friedman for making the connection.) That is the key to victory in every generation.
Let us pray that in our generation, the generation of the beginning of the redemption, we will merit that the soldiers of the IDF, who endanger their lives to protect our people and our communities, will be disciples of David and will sanctify Hashem’s name with their behavior.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
