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Beit Midrash
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Rabbi Yosef ben Yaakov
The Torah presents the following warning for the kohanim in our parasha: "Speak to Aharon and to his sons, and they should stay away from the holy of Bnei Yisrael, and they should not desecrate My Holy Name that they sanctify to Me, I am Hashem" (Vayikra 22:2).
It is difficult to understand this commandment. The kohanim are appointed to deal with the sacred, so how are they to stay away from it? Also, who are "they" who sanctify? If it refers to Bnei Yisrael, the pasuk’s order is confusing.
Rashi explains that the distancing the kohanim should adhere to is from eating the meat of sacrifices when the kohanim are impure (discussed ibid.:2-3). If so, though, the p’sukim seem out of order. Rashi also says that the reference to those who sanctify is indeed going back to Bnei Yisrael selecting animals for sacrifice. The Ramban’s second explanation is that the second part of the pasuk refers to the general concept of chillul Hashem (desecrating His Name). It is not clear, then, what the first part of the pasuk means or how the elements are connected.
A midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Iyov 920) explains the pasuk as follows. The kohanim, who were indeed appointed to deal with the sanctified animals and objects for Divine service, are liable to view themselves as owners of the sacred, not just its guardians. The Torah warns them not misuse their lofty positions of responsibility. While there are parts of sacrifices that only they may eat, they must stay away from parts that were not assigned to them. If the Ramban understands the first part of the pasuk similarly, we can appreciate the reference to chillul Hashem in this pasuk as follows. One whose job it is to safeguard the holy yet uses it for personal advantage instead desecrates that which is holy and, in the process, also Hashem’s Name.
This approach of the midrash and Ramban, while directly referring to a time and place of sacrifices and the Beit Hamikdash, is very relevant today. Nowadays we also have hekdeshot (literally, sacred matters), the generic term for moneys set aside for charity and Jewish communal needs. These are the modern "holy of Bnei Yisrael." The heads and officers of these various important funds need to be careful to stay away from any misappropriation of funds or use for personal gain. These are holy funds even if they will never be brought on an altar. It is for good reason that Israel and other organized countries have rules and regulations regarding conflicts of interest and the use of these funds. These rules are an implementation of this pasuk’s concept of not getting too comfortable with holy matters that are entrusted to one for safeguarding. As all to whom this matter applies hopefully succeed to act in an unblemished manner, let us pray that the time when the kohanim will once again deal with the original content of the pasuk will come quickly.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
