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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Yom Kippur
- Yom Kippur Prayers
Certainly, there is a clear message being sent by each phrase: Sh'ma expresses our belief in One G-d; Baruch Shem Kvod, by tradition, was a phrase recited by the angels, and so we become like angels after fasting & praying for 25 hours (and so we may say this phrase aloud rather than silently); and Hashem Hu Ha-Elokim is a mantra that allows us to drum into our heads and souls that G-d alone is the Master of the Universe.
But there is another aspect to this Declaration; it is exactly the words we say in the Vidui confession prayer, when it appears that we have reached the end of our life (ad meah v'esrim!). We go to the next world with a clear devotion to Hashem, expressing our faith and loyalty to Him. This is the culmination of a day that was a near-death experience: We washed ourselves in a Mikva, we dressed in a shroud-like white Kittel; we did not engage in any physical pursuits. In short, we prepared for death, if G-d forbid that was the verdict handed to us, while at the same time we hoped and prayed for life.
The story is told that a young man, about to enter medical school, approached Rav Moshe Feinstein and asked him for a bracha. Rav Moshe gave him his blessing, but with one condition. He admonished the future doctor to pay careful attention to when a patient was in his very last stages of life, and to then administer the Vidui to him (including the prayer that says by virtue of this very confession, G-d may heal his illness and let him live longer). Rav Moshe said, "A person should leave this world as he entered it - in purity and holiness."
The young man agreed and promised to heed Rav Moshe's instructions. Years later, the doctor arrived on call to his hospital late at night. He asked the nurse how the patients were doing and she said, "the man who glows is not doing well at all." The doctor was puzzled. "He came in this morning, and when I checked on him earlier tonight there was a glow about his face. I thought I was imagining it, but I tell you, I saw it!" The doctor rushed to the room only to see Rav Moshe lying there in the bed. He tearfully said the Vidui with him, and Rav Moshe passed on.
Hashem should give us Life and Peace for many more years, but when our time does come to go to Olam Haba, we should take our faith with us. G'mar Chatima Tova.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
