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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Sefirat Haomer
- The Meaning Sefirat Ha'omer
The Rabbis’ explain why these Talmidei Chachamim perished: "They did not afford sufficient respect to one another." But this is very hard to fathom, considering that Rabbi Akiva’s prime forte was promoting the love of each Jew for another. As we sang as kids in Bnei Akiva: "Amar Rabi Akiva: V’Ahavta L’Ray’acha Kamocha – Zeh Klal Gadol Ba’Torah. - Love your fellow Jew as you love yourself; this is a basic principle of the Torah." So what happened?
Rabbi Akiva was arguably the greatest Jewish leader since Moshe. Baal Teshuva, patriot, scholar par excellence – the Gemara relates that Moshe himself was transported to Akiba’s Bet Midrash to learn from him! – Akiba was a role model for the ages. He was the leader of his generation; the acknowledged master of Torah as well as the guiding force behind the military effort to overcome Roman domination of Israel. But his life, so noble & holy, would have the most tragic consequences. His students would die; he himself would be tortured by the Romans & executed at age 120.
I think Rabbi Akiva was bemoaning the fact that the various elements in the Jewish society of his generation did not respect each other enough, & that is what caused the calamity. And I fear his words ring truer now more than ever – we all suffer from a similar lack of Kavod.
One camp in Israel does not respect the very religious, who spend their days learning & are immersed in Mitzva-observance. But where would we all be if there hadn’t been those devoted Jews who kept alive the spirit of Judaism through the millennia, who held our faith together in the most difficult of circumstances through their unswerving devotion to G-d, who prayed fervently to return to Zion, even when that was a far-off dream?
At the same time, another camp disrespects those who identify with Israel, who helped build it & bravely defend it, even at the cost of their lives. They will not even stand in honor of the fallen, or say a prayer for our soldiers’ safety! But where would we be – all of us – if not for the pioneers who braved every hardship to found the State, if not for the young men and women who form a holy barrier between us & our cruel enemies?
You want to climb the mountain to G-d, to stand as we once did, at Har Sinai, "As one person, with one heart?" Then remember: Sefira – every one counts, everyone deserves Respect.
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.
