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Beit Midrash
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Revital Bat Lea
The Torah Temimah (ad loc.) refers to a commentary called Ein Eliyahu, who says that the image of a child hints at the idea that Hashem treated Bnei Yisrael as a child at that time. As a young nation, they were bound to make "immature" mistakes. Therefore, Hashem considered their national age when deciding how harshly to react to their flawed behavior.
The Torah Temimah rejects this explanation on the grounds that the same keruvim were used in the Beit Hamikdash. At that time, hundreds of years later, Bnei Yisrael was already a mature nation, long settled in its land. He prefers the idea that emanates from the gemara in Yoma (54a) that the kohanim would display the keruvim to those who came for the regalim. They would see the forms of the keruvim embracing each other like a young couple, representing Hashem’s love for Bnei Yisrael. The youthful appearance of the figures represents the appeal that a sweet, "baby" look has on those who see it.
Both of these ideas (and others) do not seem to take one important factor into account. Although they have nice explanations of the youth of the keruv that represented Bnei Yisrael, what sense is there for the one that represented Hashem to look so young? (The commentators on the gemara in Yoma dispute whether the two keruvim were identical or whether one was a male figure and the other female. However, I did not see any claim that one looked older than the other.)
The lesson may be a profound, if somewhat dangerous one, if misunderstood. Certainly, Hashem, the Divine and Perfect, is inapproachable to us on an absolute level. "Man cannot see Me and live" (Shemot 33:20). "He is an all-consuming fire" (Devarim 4:24). However, in the Mishkan, Hashem highlighted the elements of His Being that could interface with Bnei Yisrael, ka’veyachol, on our level. Eliyahu Rabba (24) explains that we can follow in Hashem’s footsteps by learning from some of his characteristics. Our parasha teaches us how one accomplishes that and goes about the process of imitatio dei. The meeting place of the two keruvim was the ark that contained the luchot habrit (tablets of the covenant), representing the Torah. The Torah emanates from Hashem and is the representation of His Will, as it finds expression in the physical world. Bnei Yisrael, by accepting, studying and fulfilling the Torah, connect themselves to it as their spiritual lifeline. By being connected to the Torah, we are connected to the "youthful face" of Hashem, those element of His Being that He is able to share with us.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
