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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Ki Tisa
The Torah offers a number of tantalizing clues throughout the sedra, all focusing on the idea of masks, or masking.
First, we learn about the giving of the half-shekel by all members of society. Four times in five p’sukim the word "kofer" in one form or another is used. While the usual meaning of kofer is "atonement," as in Yom Kippur, it can also mean "cover," as in "kaporet," the ornate cover for the Aron Kodesh.
Then, in the story of the Golden Calf, the pasuk (32:8) mysteriously refers to an "egel masecha." Huh?! Why use the word, "masecha?" While some translate masecha as "molten," we known it to usually mean "mask."
Later, when Moshe begs Hashem, "show me Your glory" – which chazal say is a desire to understand G-d’s sense of Divine justice – Hashem mysteriously answers, "no human being can see My face." He wears a mask?!
Finally, the parsha ends by telling us that Moshe indeed wore a mask, a mas’veh," at all times - except when he spoke to either G-d or the people.
What can all this mean?
As I write this dvar Torah, we are celebrating Purim, the holiday of masks, as well as dealing with the Corona crisis, may it soon be over for us all. I would like to suggest that masks have very different purposes. Some masks serve to disguise us, allowing us to hide behind a facade so that others do not recognize us. At times this can be constructive – as it was for Esther, who "masked" her true lineage until just the right moment – but it can also be destructive, if it serves only to fool others or lets us think that disguised, we can get away with something devious or illegal.
This was the "egel mask," which hid the fact that we lacked the self-confidence to connect to G-d on our own, without Moshe’s help. It masked our embarrassment, as we felt we needed a go-between to reach the Creator. We didn't worship the calf per se, we just felt helpless and inadequate to approach the true G-d.
But masks can also protect us from harm & make us safer, by giving us our own "space" & keeping us away from negative stimuli. Indeed, the "covers" that mask, or protect many of our sacred objects – the Torah, Tefilin, Mezuzot, the Aron, among others - suggest that G-d will protect us as well if we surround ourselves with holiness & observance of the Mitzvot.
There are times when we need to "unmask" & show our true selves, & times when we need to put on masks to increase our modesty & sense of kedusha. It all eventually comes down to refining our relationship with Hashem, in the hope that, at all times, He’s "got us covered."
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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.
