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Beit Midrash
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- Attitude Towards Jews Who Are Not Observant
Everyone, that is, except Menachem. Rabbi Shmuel just couldn’t understand it. Here was a man with health problems, who needed a mask more than anyone else in the room, and yet he just refused to wear one. Rabbi Shmuel’s pleading, cajoling, and even threatening had been met with shrugs on the part of Menachem. The greatest logic Menachem could offer to explain his behavior was "I don’t like masks."
It was a Tuesday morning when the call came from Menachem’s son. "Rabbi Shmuel, my father is in the hospital. It’s not looking good," the son sobbed into the phone. "He has complications from coronavirus. Please pray for him!"
Rabbi Shmuel hung up the phone, and shook his head sadly. Why, oh why hadn’t Menachem listened to him? He opened a Tehillim as he prepared to recite the holy words for the sake of Menachem’s recovery. A thought struck him. Was it proper to pray for someone who had, seemingly, brought illness upon himself?
Answer of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, shlita:
Of course it is proper to pray for Menachem. We don’t take it upon ourselves to punish others for their mistakes.
There is an even more dramatic example of this concept. If a person drives a car in violation of Shabbat, and gets into an accident, we are obligated to violate Shabbat in order to save his life. (See responsa Ohala Shel Torah, section 2, Orach Chaim, siman 56)
(Also see Tomer Devora, which elaborates extensively on how G-d continues to sustain and rescue us even after we have erred, and how we are meant to emulate G-d, and help others, despite their mistakes.)
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.
