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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Bechukotai
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yosef ben Yaakov
What is most striking about this Midrash is its historical accuracy. For close to 2,000 years, Eretz Yisrael was in a state of ruins. No nation was able to make it flourish, until the Jews began to return around 150 years ago. In the mid 1200's, the Ramban wrote: "Ever since we left it, it has not accepted any other nation; and they all try to settle it, but are unsuccessful." And in the mid 1800s, Mark Twain described the Land as follows: "It is a hopeless, dreary, heart-broken land… Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes… (The Innocents Abroad, chap. 56).
The fact that this prophecy has come true in our times is more than just historically impressive. According to Chazal, the rejuvenation of Eretz Yisrael is the clearest sign of the imminent redemption (see the words of R. Abba, Sanhedrin 98a, and Rashi's comment, ad loc.)
It is a great privilege to be living at a time when the clearest signs of redemption are coming to pass before our very eyes. This privilege, however, comes with some obligations, like appreciating what God has given us and returning to His Land to help it flourish even more.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
