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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
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Inbal bat Alon
Hashem uses the kohanim’s blessings to bless Bnei Yisrael and have His Name placed upon them (Bamidbar 6: 22-27). This line of communication seems to be in one direction; from Hashem, through the kohanim, onto the people. However, Chazal demonstrate that the blessings’ impact is more pervasive. The heads of each tribe brought identical sets of sacrifices on the days of inauguration of the Mishkan. The greatest, in quantity and apparently in prominence, were the korbanot shelamim (peace offerings). Each head brought 5 such sacrifices from eilim (rams), atudim (goats), and kevasim (sheep). In total, they brought 60 of each animal. Each leader brought 15 animals between those sets.
Remember those numbers, and you will see how the midrash (Bamidbar Rabba 14:18) connects these korbanot to birkat kohanim. The first blessing contains 15 letters. Each subsequent beracha is 5 letters longer than the previous one. The total of letters in the triple blessing is 60. The blessings end off with the hope for peace (shalom), and the sacrifices in question are shelamim (peace offerings). Birkat kohanim was first used at the Mishkan’s inauguration (Yerushalmi Ta’anit 4:1). Given the strong correspondence between the two adjacent Torah sections, the question is of the chicken and the egg. Which element impacts on the other?
After the one-time direct contact between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael and their subsequent failure with the Golden Calf, Hashem selected groups of the spiritual elite as intermediaries. Moshe was the "father" of generations of prophets, who informed the people of the Divine word. Regarding the relationship of giving, the kohanim were a medium for each side to show love for the other through blessings and sacrifices, respectively. For Bnei Yisrael to bring a "peace" offering, the kohanim had to develop Bnei Yisrael’s propensity toward peace by means of Hashem’s blessing that they convey. A representative’s authority depends on those he represents. For the kohanim to have a status in Hashem’s eyes, Bnei Yisrael, whom they served, used the korbanot to show a desire for a spiritual life of peace.
May our brethren abroad, who now have the opportunity to be blessed by the kohanim, and we in Israel, who have it regularly, experience together the shechinah on the kohanim’s hands in the Beit Hamikdash.
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.
