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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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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
