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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.
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?
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
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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.
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.
