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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Shoftim
In stark contrast to the magician, our belief in Hashem is linked to our belief in the reliability of the pure prophet, Moshe Rabbeinu. Hashem said to Moshe: "Behold, I am coming to you in the thickness of the cloud, so that the nation will hear when I speak to you, and also in you they will believe forever" (Shemot 19:9). The Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 8:1) stresses that this pasuk is the source of the idea that it was specifically the revelation at Sinai which was the proof that Moshe’s prophecy is truth without any doubts. It is therefore not surprising that the "leading word" in this section is davar (the word).
There is another Torah section dealing with prophecy from a different perspective (Devarim 13:2-6). There the prophet’s standing is established by means of ot or mofet (miracles). It is difficult to distinguish between magic and ot and mofet. That is why the Rambam writes: "One who believes based on otot always has some doubt that perhaps the ot was done by means of magic and deception." The differences could be like the "width of a hair," and who says one would find them?
When Moshe was sent with miracles to Paroh, he was told to expect to be challenged to come up with a mofet, which Hashem said should be the staff turning into a serpent (Shemot 7:9). But Chazal said that this was a sign for Moshe and Aharon, not for Paroh, who was not impressed, for his magicians did things of that nature often and repeated them for Moshe (see ibid. 11).
Such magicians of different sorts appeared on our nation’s stage (too) many times. The great majority of the time, they acted in manners that were connected to impurity of various sorts. Therefore, it is important to warn over and over, as we learned from the Torah that Moshe presented, that we should stay far away from such things. The only recommended approach is to follow the path of temimut (simple and straightforward belief) in the Creator who gave us a Torah that is temima (unblemished), which rejuvenates the soul. It is a Torah that can be grasped only through a life of purity that brings to holiness. "You shall be tamim before Hashem."
Rav Yisraeli taught us not to take part in secret teachings and beliefs. Moshe finishes off his teachings in the Torah with the following declaration (Devarim 29:28): "The hidden matters are for Hashem, and the revealed matters are for us and our children for all times – to do all the words of this Torah."
Keeping things simple and away from hidden beliefs and agenda, in addition to the pursuit of unity and harmony between different elements of our nation, are recipes for success.
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.