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Beit Midrash
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According to this opinion, Shimi was actually deserving of death. It was when David was fleeing from his son Avshalom during the latter’s rebellion that Shimi came forth to harshly curse and stone David, calling him a man of blood and a wayward man (Shmuel II, 16:5-7). Yet, David pardoned Shimi because after Avshalom’s rebellion failed, Shimi came forward as the "first of the House of Yosef (the more prominent son of Rachel, and Binyamin’s only full brother)" and apologized for his sin (ibid. 19:19-21).
If we look further at the language in Shmuel and in Esther, we can see other connections, between Esther (cousin of Mordechai) and her forebear Shimi ben Geira. In Shmuel, in the p’sukim on the return of Shimi, it refers to "that which is good in his eyes" (David, the king). This is parallel to Esther’s use of "if I am good in his eyes" in reference to King Achashverosh (Esther 8:5). Another overlapping use of language is that both Shimi and Esther were nofel (fell on their faces) before the king, as Haman was also nofel before Esther (ibid. 7:8).
Let us present the following thesis. The repentance of Shimi ben Geira, as a representative of the part of Israel that was least aligned with the king of Judean descent, helped unify the nation once again. His descendent hundreds of years later, who declared "Go gather together all of the Jews," empowering her to go to Achashverosh and save the nation, tapped into the same power of unity. This is what connects the legacies of the heroes behind the two stories, as David of Yehuda recognized and acted on his understanding of the importance of unity.
Especially at times like this, when "preparing" for national elections, which historically include behavior among our prospective leaders which is anything but unifying, we must do our part and pray to Hashem. May He help us find leaders who will unite Am Yisrael around the foundations of our national life: the Torah of Israel in the Land of Israel, in a process of building a value-based society which lives based on the principles of charity and justice and serving as a light unto the nations. Then we can return to the days when the "The Jews had light and happiness, joy, and honor" (Esther 8:16).Let us pray that Hashem will grant us success as the sons of Avraham Avinu and as the soldiers of the always living King David. In order for our prayers to be accepted, we too should declare: Hineni. Maybe then we will merit to witness the Divine Presence return to its place by the aron.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
