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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Ki Tisa
Rav Yisraeli z.t.l. taught us that one of the problems with an attempt to define Am Yisrael through numbers is giving precedence to quantity over quality. Undoubtedly, counting votes should decide on a quantitative basis who has more support. In all of the recent elections, the goal was one – increasing the number of votes your party receives. Literally everything is focused on that.
But what are the ethical boundaries that exist during the quest to reach that goal? This question was not raised by almost any political party regarding their activities. Personal attacks, of the lowest kind, turned into the norm and were legitimized (using religious terminology, with a "mehadrin hechsher").
The question of how we can turn the State of Israel into a more Jewish state from an ethical and religious perspective was not brought to the fore by any party. Some religious parties may have raised the issue of Shabbat observance, which is a value-based matter, but it was done in the manner of: "Give us more votes so we can pass legislation to forbid the desecration of Shabbat." There was not a focus on how to promote greater love and respect for Shabbat within the wider population in all of its "shades." Other parties highlighted the settlement of the land, which is a fundamental matter, but they too focused on how to get enough seats to improve matters through legislation. Everyone forgot that such goals can only really be achieved by increasing love; coercion only increases resistance. Even if people affirm "We need unity," it remains hollow unless one introduces a list of agreed-upon values to elevate Israeli society and bring it closer to our Father in Heaven.
These ideas are included in the phrase "ki tisa," which has multiple meanings. Noseh can mean to forgive (Hashem is "noseh sin, failings, and iniquity and erases fault" (Shemot 34:7). Another meaning is elevating: When the Torah says "naso" the head in the context of counting, the midrash (Bamidbar Rabba 4) relates it to: "(Evil-Merodach was noseh the head of Yehoyachin the king of Yehuda from the prison …" (Melachim II, 25:27-28). Years ago, we wrote to combine them – to elevate society by people forgiving each other.
The pasuk ends with avoiding plagues. When dealing with Corona, we have gotten used to quarantines separating people from the rest of society and social distancing. In order to deal with such challenges successfully, there must be true unity and agreement on certain principles, which we are able to agree upon. Doing so helps avoid the disintegration of the society, which is our biggest danger. If we go about this seriously, we will merit seeing a nation experiencing "light, happiness, joy, and honor" (Esther 8:16).
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.
