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The midrash (Eicha Rabbati), in another context, demonstrates that participation is the higher level. The midrash contrasts the approach to impending battle of four prominent Kings of Israel. David asked of Hashem: "I shall chase my enemies, and I shall catch up to them" (Tehillim 18:38). Hashem enabled him to do so. One of the early kings of the Davidic dynasty, Assa, turned to Hashem and said: "I do not have the strength to kill my enemies. Rather, I will chase them, and You will kill them." The midrash proves that this request was also granted. Yehoshafat admitted: "I do not have the strength to chase the enemy. Rather, I will sing songs of praise, and You will do everything." This too was done. The last of the kings mentioned, Chizkiyahu, said something mind-boggling: "I do not have strength to kill or chase or sing songs of praise. Rather, I will sleep on my bed, and You will do." Indeed, as Chizkiyahu slept, Hashem’s plague destroyed Sancherev’s whole army.
The midrash’s language and context demonstrates that this is an illustration of yeridat hadorot, an erosion in people’s level from one generation to the next. David’s approach was the healthiest of the four. He merited taking an active in role in fighting for/with Hashem, as Avigayil said: "For my master does fight the wars of Hashem." The least commendable of the four is Chizkiyahu, who did not even have the strength to properly sing to Hashem. In fact, Hashem was willing to make that battle the apocalyptic war and Chizkiyahu would have been Mashiach had he sung songs of praise (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 4).
Let us return to Yam Suf. After seeing endless miracles, the nation still complained, "It would have been better to be slaves to Egypt." By doing so, they lost the right not only to fight but even to sing to Hashem as He prepared to save them, as Moshe declared: "Hashem will fight for you, and you will be silent." Only the self-sacrifice and belief of entering the sea enabled them to sing. As we say in tefilla: "A new song sang the liberated on the shores of the sea."
In our generation, which is one which put its lives on the line many times, let us pray that we will merit to sing the song of ultimate redemption.
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.