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Beit Midrash
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This is a puzzling statement by the Torah. Why would the place to worship Hashem not be explicitly identified? Rashi says the place is the Mishkan erected at Shiloh; others, of course, say it clearly is referring to Jerusalem, where the Bet HaMikdash would eventually be built. So what is the point of keeping i a secret?
Our parsha also commands us to destroy any idolatrous places of worship in the Holy Land. We are to "dismantle their altars, smash their pillars, burn their tree-gods (Ashera) and cut down their images." The pasuk says these temples were built "on the high mountains, on the hills and under every leafy tree."
I want to suggest that the Torah is telling us that places of idol-worship were specifically built in beautiful settings, on mountain-tops, rolling hills and amid lush foliage. This was done to create attractive, serene settings that would attract many followers. But the rabbis maintain that the idolaters needed these pastoral trappings because they provided the only attractive element of the rituals conducted there; the actual ceremonies themselves were devoid of any real meaning, any substance, any religious truth. The buildings may have been impressive, but the activity inside was not.
Judaism offers a different approach. While Yerushalayim is mesmerizing ("Ten parts of beauty descended to the world and Jerusalem took nine!"), the Bet HaMikdash is spectacular and many of our shuls are expansive and gorgeous, the real beauty lies in what is practiced there, what is taught there, what is accomplished there - and that's why the Mishkan or Bet HaMikdash's name or location is not emphasized. Even stripped of its aesthetic brilliance, even without its grand architecture or expensive ornamentation, Judaism is intrinsically precious. That is why Hashem famously promises us (Shmot 25:8), "Asu li Mikdash v'shachanti b'tocham - Build me a Holy place and I will dwell there." Be it stunning or store-front, it is the content - and not the concrete - of Torah and Jewish life which fills the sanctuary with meaning and message.
During these past 6 months, as most of us have been home-bound and not attending shul, hopefully we have learned to appreciate Judaism "without all the trimmings," to connect to Hashem and to Shabbat and to our tefilot "l'shma," for what they are in their purest, most unadulterated form. They gift to us a lifestyle that is truly golden, even without the glitter.
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.
