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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
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Today, we can truly say that we see the beginning of the consolation. Consider, for instance, the blessing of the Ingathering of the Exiles in our Shmoneh Esrei prayer: "Sounds a great shofar for our freedom… and gather us together from the four corners of the earth to our own land. You, G-d, source of blessing, ingather the dispersed His nation Israel." It is phrased in the present tense, yet for generations upon generations, there was no Ingathering and no Aliyah. Today, however, when we recite this blessing, we truly feel it happening; it is much more concrete.
Similarly, we have prayed for centuries: "To Jerusalem, Your city, return with mercy, and dwell in its midst as You have spoken, and build it very soon in our days, an everlasting structure… You, G-d, source of blessing, build Jerusalem." For most generations, Jerusalem was far from rebuilt; it was desolate and ruined. And today? Jerusalem and its suburbs are being built up at a great pace, and the blessing of "building Jerusalem" is happening before our eyes.
The Shulchan Arukh states that we should recite the thankful blessing that "G-d restores the widow's border"
Spiritually, as well, the Jewish Nation shows great signs of progress. The acute spiritual crisis that distanced many from true faith has been stopped, and a positive spiritual revolution is unfolding both in Israel and around the entire Jewish world. A "gate for those who knock in repentance," as we say in the High Holiday prayers, has been opened. The Torah is returning to the Land of Israel, to its natural home, and the sparkling lights of consolation that we see are encouraging and promising.
Yet we still require the words of the Prophet:
Who can truly console us? Who can truly provide words and deeds of comfort? No mortal can truly comfort us, not even the greatest or wisest of men. Only Hashem our G-d can do so, as the verse states,
It is that G-d, by His words, can effect the deeds and acts that bring us genuine comfort and consolation, because "the word of our G-d will last forever".
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.