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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
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- 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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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
