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The Coronavirus pandemic is certainly a health issue; it is important to avoid contracting or transmitting it, which are Torah obligations. But the period has been challenging for us in two other ways.
Financial crisis – Many families lost their livelihoods. Our non-profit enterprises, whether tzedaka or Torah organizations, have had a harder time raising money from their communities and from the government.
Social crisis – Many people suffered emotionally because of pressure, whether financially related or due to social distancing and difficulty in international travel. The long period of curtailed physical contact with family left scars on those in need of it.
Parashat R’ei addresses these two areas of human concern, as we will now explain. The Torah (Devarim 14:22-23) describes the mitzva of ma’aser sheni. 9% of the overall agricultural produce is set aside to eat when the family goes to Yerushalayim for the regalim. The Ramban explains that the purpose is, as stated, "So that he should learn to fear Hashem," because the national teachers are prevalent there to teach him. The Hadar Z’keinim continues that the hope was that people might even stay after the chagim to learn more. So going to Yerushalayim is not just about bringing korbanot but also about taking a break in the daily activities to grow from spiritual and emotional perspectives in a holy place with holy people. This is a wise use of the significant tithe of the produce. Today as well, one of the important jobs of "Torah professionals" is to be concerned with the emotional health of their students/congregants.
The section on tithes uses the language of "aser te’aser" (you must certainly tithe), but Chazal point out that it can be read homiletically as give tithes to enrich yourself or so that you should not be missing anything (Tanchuma, R’ei 18). Indeed one who gives gains more than what he gives, as he is promised divine blessing. Especially in difficult financial times, we must encourage acting on the value of being there to help those who are in (greater) need. When giving tzedaka, one is even allowed to test Hashem to see if he will get the blessing, even though such an exercise is usually forbidden (Ta’anit 9a).
The Rabbis expanded the idea of tithing from agricultural produce in Eretz Yisrael to profits from the world of commerce wherever one is. It is a great honor to support those in need, especially when they are those who are toiling in Torah study, as these are people who are or will be strengthening the spiritual and emotional health of the nation and serving as role models for serving Hashem.
Let us pray that we will be among those who have the privilege to give and help provide for not only the physical but also the spiritual/emotional needs of our brethren, both on an individual and on a national level, and all of this in the "ways of pleasantness."
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
