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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
The maximalistic plan is to destroy Amalek "from beneath the heavens." This is a war to the end against the international foundation of Amalek, an actual battle with the power of the sword and the fist. This battle ends when the coveted world peace has been obtained, when we get to the end of days, and "no nation will lift up its sword against the other nation nor will they learn anymore to wage war" (Yeshayahu 2:4). But this was a battle that could not be waged right away. As the gemara (Sanhedrin 20b) said, Bnei Yisrael were commanded three mitzvot upon their entry into the Land: appointing a king, uprooting Amalek, and building the Beit Hamikdash. So the first condition for erasing the memory of Amalek was having a monarchy in Israel.
But even in the times of exile, when the dominion is in the hands of foreign nations, there is a minimalistic form of erasing the memory of Amalek, in the form of fighting the elements of Amalek that are in our own midst. The main ability of Amalek to be a dangerous enemy of ours was related by the Torah before its account of the episode of Amalek’s attack. Our nation asked: "Is Hashem in our midst or is He not?" (Shemot 17:7). After all, in all times, just as there is an external Amalek that rises up, there is a seed of Amalek in our midst which causes us to question whether Hashem is in our midst. Overcoming that doubt is an important feat. The salvation of sorts that it brings, even if it is subtle, is considered a miracle that is fit for the times of exile. That is how the Rabbis viewed the holiday of Purim, which was celebrated even when we were still servants of Achashveirosh and were given to the whims of the ruler. But that too is something that is of value and leads to a final great goal.
We still commemorate Purim, whereas there is no holiday for Yehoshua’s victorious battle against Amalek or for Shaul’s victory against them. The commemoration of the victory against Amalek is for the one that took place in exile. This was a partial redemption, which serves as the nucleus of the future redemption. It gives us great power to destroy the element of Amalek in our own midst. "Just as when the month of Av enters, we reduce joy, so too when Adar enters, we increase joy" (Ta’anit 29a).
That is what happened with the miracle of Purim. No Jewish king was installed. But there was a central figure around whom people rallied. Even those who took part in Achashveirosh’s feast and those who bowed down to idols rallied around him. They saw the power of the Torah and the power of its leaders to lead and bring "the tossed ship of Israel" to safety.
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.
