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Beit Midrash
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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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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
