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On the other hand, the Torah is considered "eternal life". I once heard my father and teacher Abba ztz"l say that one can study the laws of Sukkot on Passover and the laws of Passover on Sukkot, and both will be considered magnificent Torah study. But if you eat Matza on Sukkot or sit in a Sukkah on Passover, you have not fulfilled either mitzvah.
Another meaning to the words "eternal life" is that the Torah is designed to bring blessing to all of reality. Similarly, our forefather Avraham was told that he should make aliyah to Eretz Israel, and in so doing merit "in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' " (Genesis 12, 3). And when God commands that Avraham perform circumcision, He reiterates this national role: "as for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations. "[Genesis 17, 4]
This idea is restated with the promise of Eretz Israel. God swears again to Abraham after the binding on Mount Moriah, "and in thy progeny shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast hearkened to My voice" (Genesis 22,18). He later tells Isaac," and I will establish the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father" (Genesis 26,3). And again, God tells Jacob in the same place, "and thy progeny shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. And in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed, and in thy progeny." (Genesis 28,14).
In all of these quotes we see that our power to impact the entire world is contingent upon Mount Moriah and Eretz Israel. Starting with Abraham, to whom God said that in order to influence the world, he had to go to the Land of Canaan, and ending with God’s words to Jacob.
The international influence of the People of Israel depends on their being in the Land of Israel. Thus, only upon entering Eretz Yisrael can all of the Torah be written on a stone in the 70 languages. And this is also the reason why the entire psalm of "Hodu", which is said at the beginning of all prayers, links the role of "declare to the peoples" and "tell the nations" to the covenant that God made with our Fathers about Eretz Israel. From this we can understand the enormous international significance of the inheritance of the Land of Israel by the People of Israel.
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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.
