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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Laws of Pesach
- The Spiritual Meaning
I have another theory, but let’s first start with a classic question: What, exactly, does Matza represent? Is it a symbol of slavery, or of freedom?
Now, you might insist that Matza is all about slavery. After all, it is called "poor bread" & is meant to remind us of the meager fare which the downtrodden slaves ate during their servitude. It lacks substance & pretty much lacks taste, being only slightly tastier than the box it comes in.
At the same time, we could make a strong case for Matza being all about freedom. The fact that we loyally observed Hashem’s dictate to bake matzot to take with us on our journey testifies that we were now under G-d’s command, & not Paro’s. And our haste in preparing this half-baked food signifies our zeal, our excitement at joining Hashem & following Him wherever He leads us.
So which is it?
There is one clear way to settle this question. The rabbis directed us to lean when eating "freedom foods," but refrain from leaning while eating "slave foods." And so we lean when drinking the 4 Cups (no, that’s not a singing group!) but do not lean when eating the Maror. What do we do when eating Matza – we lean! There you have it!
I want to suggest that the unique dual nature of matza provides us with a very vital lesson in life. There are always two ways of looking at anything – the positive & the negative. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is our attitude towards life & our reaction to the trials & tribulations which life throws our way. It’s our choice to make; it’s our reaction to be placed on every situation.
B’ezrat Hashem, we are coming out of the Corona pandemic this Pesach; society is opening & life is slowly coming back to "normal." Many have suffered & died, many lives have been hard-hit. Yet at the same time, we are IY"H winning one of history’s most comprehensive, most challenging battles! Creating a vaccine, providing it to millions around the globe & saving society is nothing short of a miracle – if we choose to see it that way.
In a sense, we were all "enslaved" for the past year; now we are getting our freedom back. It’s a good time to wave the Matza as a flag of liberation & remember Hashem’s promise to us: "Lean on me, and I shall save you."
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.