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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Hanukkah
- The Meaning of Hanukkah
Bet Hillel differs. They say we start with just 1 candle, and progressively increase to 8, because of the principle, "One should ascend in holiness, and not descend."
Beyond this Halachic dispute is a profound difference in world view, and in the concept of the Jewish People being "a light unto the nations." All agree that our mission is to serve as an inspiration to the world, helping fulfill Hashem's grand plan for all humanity through our pursuance of Torah and mitzvot, and our moral excellence. The question is how we do this.
Bet Shamai's strategy is to do battle against the alien, pagan forces around us, to use our flame to "burn away" any negative, corrupting influences like Greek philosophy or idolatrous worship. In this view, our primary goal is to work to decrease the other nations' sway and power, in an effort to minimize their effect upon us. This decrease is illustrated by the descending number of offerings brought for the nations and the decrease in lights, until just one - Israel - remains.
Bet Hillel has a different approach. Its strategy is to continually increase light to dispel the darkness, not so much by fighting others, but rather by raising our own spiritual level. By using our light not to burn, but to illuminate the Earth with Torah values, we create such brightness that evil - or the dark forces - automatically recede. The more candles, the more light; the more knowledge, the more holiness; the more Torah, the more Peace!
This lesson is a guiding light for us. Despite the effort we must make to combat anti-Semitism and its ugly partner anti-Zionism, there is no substitute for increasing our own light. For in the end, the Halacha is like Bet Hillel.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
