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She studied the picture for a long, long time and then she noticed something she had missed before; the boy was standing within a long shadow. And then she remembered that one of Grandpa's favorite songs was, "Just Me and My Shadow." So she started to research the history of photography, and famous photographers, and discovered that the shadow in the photo was that of President Abraham Lincoln! A very valuable artifact, indeed!
As we approach Shavuot, I want to suggest that the "shadow" which hovers over this Chag is that of David HaMelech. By tradition, David was born - and also died - on Shavuot. Of course, we know that the story of Ruth ends with the birth of David (note that the name "David" is, literally, the very "last word" of this Megila!). But what is the deeper significance of David's hidden presence in Ruth's story, and in the message of Shavuot?
David was truly a "man for all seasons." He underwent every trial, he experienced every emotion. He was a gentle soul, a poet and musician. Yet he was also a fierce warrior, with much holy blood on his hands, who conquered Jerusalem and brought our eternal capital into Jewish hands. He was beloved by millions, but he was also an outcast in his own family, where, for a long time, he was deemed illegitimate and not even allowed to sleep in his father's home! He enjoyed riches and power, yet he also experienced dire poverty and almost starved to death. He achieved widespread acclaim when he slew Goliath, but then was hunted down like a dog and barely escaped death.
All of this contributes to the brilliance of his book of Tehilim - the most read of all Jewish books. Because of David's range of experiences, he can relate to everyone else in his or her own situation. Are you joyful, and want to praise Hashem? Recite Tehilim! Are you sad, depressed, scared? Read Tehilim! David has words, and music, for every possible condition. And that is why, I suggest, it is his lineage that will produce Moshiach. Because Moshiach will connect to everyone - Jew and non-Jew alike - in order to usher in the Age of Redemption when "the knowledge of G-d will flow like a river."
And that is why David must come from Ruth, a convert whose life story is one of pure Redemption, the royal princess of Israel's ancient adversary Moav, turned poverty-stricken beggar, who masters the Mitzvot (thus her name equals 606 for the commandments she takes upon herself) and returns again to royalty and respect as the ancestress of the House of David. David is the lynch-pin, the connector between the nations of the world and its ultimate Redeemer. He is the great-grandson of Ruth and the grandfather of the Geula, the Everyman who casts a giant shadow over us all.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
