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Beit Midrash
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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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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.