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Beit Midrash
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- Parashat Hashavua
In this week’s parasha, Moshe invited those inciting against him to a discussion with him. Datan and Aviram said: "Lo na’aleh" (Bamidbar 16:12). They continued: "Is it not enough that you brought us up from a land that is flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert? … and you did not bring us to a land flowing with milk and honey" (ibid. 13-14).
Another critical term is – "a land flowing with milk and honey." This is how Hashem referred to the future Eretz Yisrael from the time of the burning bush (Shemot 3:8). (Most commentaries explain that the honey is the oozing sweetness of the fruit.) In their chutzpa, Datan and Aviram used the term to refer to Egypt, thus connecting themselves to the ten evil spies.
What is the significance of Eretz Yisrael being called flowing with milk and honey? Yeshayahu used milk and honey as a sign of great bounty for the survivors of the destruction by the Assyrians at the time of Chizkiyahu (Yeshayahu 7: 14-22). This is the sign of agricultural blossoming in Eretz Yisrael. Many other prophets used similar imagery (see Yoel 4:18; Amos 9:13-14; Yirmiyahu 31:4-7; Yechezkel 36:8-10). Based on such prophecies, Chazal taught that successful agriculture in the Land is the greatest sign of the approaching times of Mashiach (Sanhedrin 98a). Therefore, Datan and Aviram not only raised complaints against Moshe’s leadership but also against the prophecies of liberation about the nation’s populace sitting under grape vines and fig trees, and the return to a productive Eretz Yisrael after a period of exile.
Our generations have merited to counteract the sin of the spies and of Datan and Aviram. Am Yisrael has returned to Eretz Yisrael, which has greeted us with its milk and honey. The connection between Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael is supernatural. While from an intellectual, rational perspective, the ten spies and Datan and Aviram might have been right, we are believers, who follow the approaches of Moshe Rabbeinu and his disciples, Yehoshua and Kalev. With all the wonder and divine kindness involved, the situation on "the ground" supports these beliefs and prophecies.
Let us give two of many examples. 1. His time’s greatest Jewish demographer, Shimon Dubnow, predicted in 1898 that in 1998 there would be about half a million Jews in Eretz Yisrael, without a state that would be internationally recognized or having their national aspirations fulfilled, and they would live only with the help of Diaspora Jews. Obviously he was far off. 2. Seth Siegel, the American expert on world water supply, wrote more recently that Israeli technologies in the field of water and irrigation are the key to improving the lives of 4 billion people worldwide. Indeed, more than 150 countries use Israeli technologies.
In summary, Moshe is truthful and his Torah is truthful. "Let us go up."
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
