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Beit Midrash
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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
Rabbi Haggai Lundin
Family and Society There Will Not Be A Civil War!
(Told to the students of the Hesder Yeshiva in Holon)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
