Female LessonParashat HashavuaSeries'LibraryPiskei Din (Hebrew)Test YourselfOur Sedra contains the reference to the unique foods of Israel that symbolize the fertility and bounty of the Holy Land: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Beyond their nutritional value, each of these foods connect to a higher element, corresponding to what the Kabbala calls "the two souls of Man - the animal soul & the G-dly soul." Wheat and barley, the two grains among the Seven Kinds, represent the staples of our inner make-up. Wheat represents the endeavor to nourish what is distinctly human in us, to feed the divine aspirations that are the essence of our humanity. Barley represents the desire to nourish and develop our animal soul & instinctive self. Grapes represent joy ("wine gladdens the heart"). The fig stands for knowledge & is linked to the Tree of Knowledge in Gan Eden. The pomegranate, full of seeds, stands for the unlimited potential in each person. The olive, crushed in order to release its oil, represents the struggles we face & the ability to overcome them. The date stands for perfection & peace ("the righteous will bloom like a date").
Many have attempted to solve the question, what is THE difference which can find the common denominator between all 31 differences between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandment? This innovative article suggests that our sages already answered this with one sentence in a well-known Midrash, just most never noticed that seemingly innocent sentence. It deals with the basic difference between the masculine side of the Torah and the feminine.
Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.
"FREEDOM CAME WITH A FLAG”- The First Flag of Israel
The Ramban explains that the exodus from Egypt was led by the first flag of Israel. This short article brings many unknown historic and halachic proofs of the importance of the Israeli flag.
Rav Kook makes some very interesting "diyukim" (deductions) from this passage in the Talmud about when to wash or moisterize (with oil) right before left, and regarding anointing one's entire body, and relates to small "timely" fixings, as opposed to general improvement.