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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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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
