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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Shmini
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
The midrash (Vayikra Rabba 11) gives various possibilities as to the subjects of these p’sukim. Rav Yirmiya explains it in terms of the creation of the world. Hashem created the world with wisdom; the seven pillars are the days of the week. Rav Abba relates them to the subject of our parasha, the Mishkan. Betzalel, architect of the Mishkan, built it; the pillars are the seven days of inauguration, which lead up to the eighth day of our parasha. The meat and wine are the sacrifices and the libations that were offered therein; the table was set with the special bread (lechem hapanim). The calling was done by Moshe, as it says in our first pasuk: "It was on the eighth day, Moshe called to Aharon and his sons and the elders of Israel."
The Sefat Emet connected the midrashim in a marvelous, homiletic manner. The purpose of wisdom and things that are built with wisdom is to allow man to merit Divine Assistance. Everything that was created at genesis was a preparation for man, who receives a special blessing on Shabbat, the "extra soul" of Shabbat. So too, regarding the Mishkan, the goal was the eighth day, which followed the preparatory stage. As creation was finishing, man was asked to call names to the animals (Bereishit 2:20). The Sefat Emet explains that the idea of naming was to connect everything to its roots. Moshe likewise called out on the eighth day.
The Sefat Emet continues that calling was involved in many critical elements of the world. The Beit Hamikdash is referred to as the house that My Name is called upon it (Yirmiya 7:10). In reference to time, the holidays are called mikra’ei kodesh (times that are called for holiness). Bnei Yisrael are called in a manner that connects us to the Divine: "The nations of the land will see that Hashem’s Name is called upon you" (Devarim 28:10).
A brit milah is performed on the eighth day, as it is related to the extra soul which the baby has experienced on the preceding Shabbat. The brit confirms that he is slated for a special soul in the world to come. The eighth day is a sign of a loving connection between Hashem and His children. The calling is reminiscent of the angels who call one to another as they sanctify Hashem’s Name (Yeshaya 6:3).
May we merit returning to the call of the eighths with the building of the Beit Hamikdash and the fixing of creation.
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.