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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
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- The Coronavirus Pandemic
"If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Exodus 15:26
וַיֹּאמֶר אִם שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע לְקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְהַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינָיו תַּעֲשֶׂה וְהַאֲזַנְתָּ לְמִצְוֹתָיו וְשָׁמַרְתָּ כָּל חֻקָּיו כָּל הַמַּחֲלָה אֲשֶׁר שַׂמְתִּי בְמִצְרַיִם לֹא אָשִׂים עָלֶיךָ כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה רֹפְאֶךָ.-שמות טו,כו
Particularly, the month of Iyar which falls precisely between Pesach and Shavuot, teaches us that healing is not a purely physical process but also requires a spiritual transcendence which manifests itself in the transition between the birth of Israel as a nation," the people of Israel"- עם ישראל(Pesach)and receiving the Torah (Shavuot).
Of all the hardships in our lives, it seems that physical distress can create the illusion that the key for healing lies purely in the earthly, physical domain. In the past few weeks, like the rest of the world, we have internalized a lesson in humility. The conclusion is that modern medicine with all its technological advancements can yet challenge us with a scenario that we have never encountered before, a situation which is an unprecedented phenomenon in the history of humanity, which we do not know how to cope with , and lastly, which is not curable yet. Although, by all means, we should not underestimate the advancements of modern medicine or human achievements, we should be open minded to something greater, to trust in G-D.
Those with a fine perception may notice that the Corona crisis, more than any other crisis in recent generations, carries with it solutions that are closely associated with the elevation of moral values and more so, moral transcendence. Global healing requires changing habits and patterns of thinking that are beyond the technical side - such as postponing our immediate needs and satisfactions, defining & setting up new priorities, and willingness to sacrifice for disadvantaged populations.
There is a great opportunity here for real healing to the world; Healing filled with faith and moral values.
Enclosed is a prayer which is customary to recite in the month of Iyar, in the name of the חִידָ"א; (Rabbi Yosef Chaim David Azulai זצ"ל).
Master of the universe, in your mercy give us strength and health and sufficient ability, strength and courage in our limbs and bodies to be watchful. And we will have no hidden maladies and no pain, and we will be joyous, good and healthy to worship you, and we will be saved from any evil, and you will lengthen our days with goodness and our years with pleasantness and fulfill our years with long life. And you will add years of life to worship you. And in the shade of your wings we will hide. And you will save us and all our households from all hard decrees and we will be calmed, fertilized and refreshed for your worship and worthy for your awe".
Amen
Evil will pass.
Good will prevail.
With the help of G-D
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.
