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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayeshev
Rashi brings a Midrash: After all his trials and tribulations - his strife with Esav; his struggle with the angel as well as with his conniving father-in-law Lavan; the kidnapping and rape of Dina - Yaakov wanted to finally settle down in tranquility, but Hashem had other plans for him. "Is it not enough - that which awaits Tzadikim in the World to Come - yet they seek serenity in this world, too?!" ask G-d incredulously. And so, there follows not retirement for Yakov, but the tumultuous saga of his son Yosef’s sale and saga in Egypt.
The message being sent here is that it is not the Jewish way to "settle," to seek or accept inactivity or stagnation; to simply fade away into obscurity. Rather we must utilize every day, every moment, every opportunity we have for additional growth and accomplishment. Moreover, it is davka the challenges and the tough tests which come our way that most serve to strengthen us, that propel us to new heights, that define us. If you move, if you react, you are alive - but if you are dormant and still, you are basically dead.
Thank about where innovation and progress come from; usually it stems from a crisis or a seemingly-impossible challenge. It was the military, for example, that we credit for the World Wide Web, or Internet, which evolved from the U.S. Defense Dept. project in the late 1960's to connect multiple computers in order to communicate on a single network. The "space race" led to developing satellites, which enabled the creation of Global Positioning Systems (e.g. WAZE), enhanced smart-phone communication, and now sophisticated drones. And no doubt the Corona epidemic will lead to many advances in medical science.
While Yaakov endured terrible turmoil due to Yosef's disappearance, which was followed by our descent into Mitzrayim and Egyptian slavery, it would all lead eventually to our miraculous liberation, to the giving of the Torah and our return to Israel. It would serve to steel us for any and all future calamities and captivities that might confront us.
Yaakov, we're told, "settled" in his father's land. Let us recall that Yitzchak settled in G'rar (BR. 26:6, "Vayeshev Yitzchak b'Grar," tied for the shortest pasuk in the Torah!). "G'rar" in today's Hebrew, means "towed." I suggest that Hashem is telling us that we must keep on going, come what may, and that if we stop, He will do what it takes to make sure we continue moving to where we need to go, even if He has to tow us!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
