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The Rashbi enlightened the world when he authored the Zohar, the primary source of Jewish mysticism. His burial place on Mt. Meron thus became an iconic touchstone for Chassidic gatherings, visited by as many as 2 million people annually. Across the country, the other most-visited site in the Jewish world - the Kotel - also brings millions to Mt. Moriah each year. Could Rashbi have unraveled the mystery of Moriah's Akeida for us, the most enigmatic of all Jewish stories? And what would be his reaction to the sudden death of those at Meron? Why does Hashem require self-sacrifice? Why would G-d request that Yitzchak be made into a korban; and why would Jews be taken in the very midst of their religious fervor and jubilant prayer?
Our double-Sedra, in its very title "B'Har-B'Chukotai," succinctly connects these scenarios and summits: the Har, and the Chok. These mountains closer to Hashem confront us with the very deepest of theological conundrums, enigmas that we poor mortals struggle with, generation after generation. But I suggest that we focus not only on the tragic circumstances that occurred at Har Meron, but no less on the cataclysmic, joyous return to a united Yerushalayim in 1967.
Who could have predicted such a miraculous turn of events? To have crushed the massive armies of Egypt and Syria in the virtual blink of an eye? To have Jordan serendipitously enter the war late - after falling prey to Egyptian radio's fabricated account of Tel Aviv in flames? And this after we ourselves warned, even pleaded with Jordan to stay out of the fight.
But Hashem has His plans and they cannot be predicted or pre-empted; we can, and must climb the mountain, but Heaven above will always have the last word.
Perhaps that is why our Sedra also contains both the primary blessings of life as well as the terrible curses that may confront us throughout history. While there are 30 p'sukim describing the k'lalot, there are only 10 p’sukim listing the brachot! May Hashem reverse those numbers & triple our blessings. And may we merit to receive only b’sorot tovot, messages of good tidings.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
