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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Purim & The Month of Adar
- The Happiness in Purim
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Middot - Character Traits
- Additional Lessons
Yitzchak began his part, and, within seconds, it was obvious whom he was trying to imitate. His clothing, hand gestures and speech were an exact imitation of Rabbi Shlomo, the eighth grade gemara teacher. Before long, Yitzchak had the entire audience doubled over with laughter, at his impressions of the teacher.
In the beginning of Yitzchak’s presentation, the principal was laughing along with everyone else. As Yitzchak continued, though, the principal started to become uneasy. Yitzchak’s imitation of Rabbi Shlomo was, well, too good. Yitzchak had managed to hone in on every quirk in Rabbi Shlomo’s speech, mannerisms, and style of dress, and the image that came across was… terrible. Yitzchak was putting together a composite picture that had every flaw of Rabbi Shlomo’s, with none of his positive qualities.
The next day, the principal paid a visit to Yitzchak’s class. "Boys, I’d like to discuss yesterday’s Purim play." The principal paused. "I see that you worked very hard, and the way that you came together as a class to make this event happen was very impressive. I just have one concern, boys. The imitation of Rabbi Shlomo was a little overdone. He came across in a very unflattering way. He must have been so embarrassed, and all this in front of the entire school! He’s a great Torah scholar, and that makes the embarrassment of him even worse!"
The boys sat silently for a moment, until Yitzchak himself spoke up. "We didn’t do anything wrong, really! We asked permission from Rabbi Shlomo, before we wrote the play. We asked him if we can imitate him and make him look silly, and he said it’s OK."
Were the students allowed to imitate Rabbi Shlomo, given that he had given the students permission to make fun of him? Or, perhaps, was it still forbidden for the students to do what they did?
Answer of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, zt"l:
Even if the rabbi in question gave explicit permission for the students to mock him, what the students did was forbidden, for two reasons:
1. Despite the law that a rabbi is allowed to forgo his honor, this is only in cases in which there is no degradation of the rabbi. However, the rabbi is not allow himself to be degraded. (Responsa of the Rivash (siman 220) in the name of the Raavad, and others)
2. It is quite possible that Rabbi Shlomo’s permission wasn’t given wholeheartedly, and that, in his heart of hearts, he was bothered by the students’ performance.
It is important to add that the matter of Purim plays is a very serious one. I read that Rabbi Shimon Sofer (author of Michtav Sofer, and son of the Chatam Sofer) died as a result of distress caused by the mockery of a "Purim rabbi." G-d forbid, that we should continue this custom, particularly in yeshivas, which are supposed to set examples of honor and fear of Torah. It is a mitzva to protest this terrible practice. It is forbidden not only to mock Torah scholars, but even simple people, in the name of Purim festivity.
In summary: it is forbidden to make fun of a rabbi, even if he says explicitly that he agrees to be mocked.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.