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Beit Midrash
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- Pesach Sheni
Chazal discuss what these people, who were exposed to the deceased, had been doing. R. Akiva said that they were the people who took Nadav and Avihu out of the Mishkan. R. Yossi Hagelili said they were those who carried Yosef’s coffin out of Egypt. In this context, the term nefesh adam may have something to teach us.
We have explained in the past that Nadav and Avihu’s death was connected in some way to the punishment for the sale of Yosef by his brothers. In that case, both opinions connect this impurity to Yosef. Chazal teach us that Yosef was called adam, as is apparent in Tehillim 78:60. The midrash (Shemot Rabba 20:19) says that in the merit of Yosef, Bnei Yisrael would do a Pesach katan (a small Pesach). This alternative name for Pesach Sheini is likely no coincidence if it relates to Yosef, as Yosef was called "the (katan) small one among the tribes." Yosef is also connected to the idea of being second, as his chariot was the called mirkevet hamishneh (the chariot of the number two) (Bereishit 41:43).
Yosef and Yehuda both received a blessing of leadership from their father, Yaakov. However, the order of leadership had Yehuda first and Yosef second. The two tribes could have supplemented each other in a unified manner had the partnership between David and Yonatan the son of Shaul come to fruition, but tragically, Yonatan fell in battle. The second opportunity was at the time of Yeravam, who had divided the kingdom, which had been unified under the dynasty of David and Shlomo. Hashem offered Yeravam that if he relinquished his kingdom, Hashem would allow him to "stroll in Gan Eden with Him and the son of David," and he refused when he was told that the son of David would walk in front of him (Sanhedrin 102a). Yeravam wanted to be the big one, not the small one, the first and not the second. As a result, the division of the kingdoms became permanent, and the road was paved toward the eventual destruction of the First Temple. Yeravam did not understand the lesson of the Pesach Sheini, the small Pesach in the month of Iyar. Instead, he made up his own unauthorized second Sukkot in the month of Cheshvan (Melachim I, 12:33). What a shame!
The person of true stature is one who knows how to limit his stature, which actually makes him big. Pesach Sheini = Pesach Katan comes to teach us that there is a special value in being #2, in being "small," in being humble. Humility is the key to unity between Jewish leaders and between all the parts of the nation, who are descendants of Yaakov Avinu.
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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.
