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"Yosef" actually has two meanings and, strangely enough, they have opposite connotations! Rachel names him "Yosef" and says "Hashem will end my disgrace - asaf Elokim et cherpati"). Here, "Yosef" connects to "asaf," to end, as in the word "sof." But then, Rachel calls him "Yosef," with the wish that G-d will continue to bless her by adding another child to her family ("Yosef Hashem li ben acher"). Here, Yosef's name is connected to "hosafa," an addition. So the name embodies both ending, and continuing!
On the first definition of Yosef, Rashi quotes a very strange Midrash concerning Rachel's statement that "this name will end my disgrace." Says Rashi. "As long as a woman has no child, she has no one else to blame for her faults. But when she has a child, she indeed has someone to blame. 'Who broke this vase? Your son! Who ate those figs that you like? Your daughter!"
Wow! That seems like quite a condemnation of women, making them appear to be so shallow and timid that they have to blame others for the mistakes they make - and their own child, yet!
But Rav Lau explained what's going on here. When a husband comes home and sees something amiss - a broken vase, or his favorite food eaten, and he starts to get angry and shout, the wise wife holds up her child and says, "Get a grip on yourself; wake up and smell the makeup! I gave you a son, and you're stressing out over an old vase?! I gave you a daughter, and you're complaining about a cookie?! Seriously?!"
We are showered by Hashem with so much good, with so many blessings in this world - even in the age of Corona. So put in all in perspective, people, and don't sweat the small stuff.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
