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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Rosh Hashana
- Shofar Blowing
Description of the activity in the Heavens is impactful. "The angels move around quickly, and they are seized by trembling." Even about the pure angels it says, "If in His holy ones He does not believe…" (Iyov 15:15). It is hard for us to understand why the angels need judgment, but we can easily make the calculation: If they are concerned, then we, simple mortal beings, who pass before Hashem to receive our allotment of days for the coming year, certainly have reason to tremble. It is not only as individuals; it is also decreed how the different nations will fare, and "He will tell a person that which he spoke" (Amos 4:13).
But what is really going on? The realization of the judgment is impactful if one’s ears, eyes, and, especially, heart are open. However, if one’s heart is unmoved and he goes through life as if matters are progressing normally, and his emotions are fossilized and his mind is polluted, then the mundane infiltrates the holy Days of Awe. Then we need to ask ourselves: Do we not have any belief in our heart? Why do we not sense the gravity of the moment and the significance of Hashem’s decision in our regard? How can we be callous to the fact that our fate is being weighed on the divine scales?
The answer is that we certainly are Jews who are believers the sons of believers. There certainly is a hidden part of our hearts that is sensitive, but it is dormant. The noise of the tumultuous city, the Satan, who is the Evil Inclination, silences the fine emotions and even the "voice of Hashem," which is a weak sound of whisper. Let us call out like the captain did to Jonah amidst the storm (Yonah 1:6): "Why are you sleeping? Get up, and call out to Hashem!"
That is why there is the sound of shofar blowing, which is reminiscent of the shofar of Above. When the great shofar is blown, we are able to break the earplugs and pierce the shield of the heart. "Fortunate is the nation that has people who know how to blow the shofar." The weak sound of whisper is actually the sound of Hashem in the Heavens, and it is likewise the spark of the Jewish soul.
Let us hear it! Let us be aroused to do complete repentance!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
