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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 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.
