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We just marked Lag BaOmer, which focuses on the Torah of Rabbi Akiva and his disciples, including Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. They took part in the struggle to renew Jewish sovereignty under Bar Kochva’s leadership. We will soon mark the anniversary of the Six Day War, which reached its peak with the liberation of Yerushalayim. This extricated us from dangerously narrow borders and ushered in a period of great development, concretizing and strengthening the State of Israel. Finally, we will reach the holiday of the giving of the Torah.
Yerushalayim is the political capital of the State of Israel and as such of the entire Am Yisrael. It is the spiritual center and the focus of Am Yisrael’s longings. The process of establishing the State was significantly advanced on 5 Iyar 5708, but also was significantly strengthened on 28 Iyar 5727. The State of Israel without Yerushalayim as its official and practical capital is like a body without a soul. We can demonstrate this from King David as well (David ben Gurion followed his lead).
The Torah sets an interesting time for the building of the Beit Hamikdash, which turned Yerushalayim into the dwelling place of the Divine Presence, which initially benefitted Am Yisrael but eventually (as Yeshayahu prophesied) the entire world. The Torah writes as a precursor for choosing the Beit Hamikdash’s location as follows: "You shall cross the Jordan and inhabit the Land that Hashem your G-d is giving you as an inheritance, and He will give you respite from all of your enemies around you and you will live securely" (Devarim 12:10). Similarly, Shmuel (II, 7) in an introduction to David’s efforts to build the Beit Hamikdash, writes of Hashem giving respite from all of his surrounding enemies, and the prophet Natan agrees with him in principle that this was the time for the project of making Yerushalayim the spiritual center of the nation to commence. It is difficult that the ensuing section of Shmuel (ch. 8-10) provides extensive details of additional wars. So why did David and Natan think that the time for building the Temple had come?
We suggest that respite from enemies does not mean an end to all fighting (which will occur only in the times of Mashiach). Rather the fact that David enjoyed full autonomy and the world viewed Israel as such in his times (see ch. 5) provide sufficient respite, allowing Yerushalayim to be the nation’s political and spiritual center. Then David moved to bring the Holy Ark to the city (ch. 6) and began planning the Beit Hamikdash and dwelling place of the Divine Presence.
Let us pray that the process of our return to national glory will continue from Lag BaOmer to Yom Yerushalayim and finally to Shavuot. May the State of Israel be not only a political anchor for world Jewry but also a place for Hashem’s Presence, which comes when the people willingly accept the Torah.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.