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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ha'azinu
The Torah tells us, in the haunting song that makes up most of the parasha, to "remember the days of history, contemplate the years of generation after generation," which, it continues, can best be done when you "ask your father and he will tell you, your elders and they will say to you" (Devarim 32:7). The Torah continues to discuss the creation of the special connection between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael. It says that Hashem found us in a desert, in a place of danger and surrounded us with protection in the most devoted way (ibid. 10). Rashi explains that the surrounding was with the miraculous clouds, which is, according to one opinion (Sukka 11b), that which we commemorate on Sukkot.
One way or another, a sukka is consistently a sign of divine protection. In the psalm we are in the midst of saying for close to two months (Tehillim 27), David speaks about Hashem hiding him in His sukka on a difficult day (27:5). Yeshayahu (4:6) refers to the sukka as protection from the sun and from rain, as a metaphor for Hashem’s protection over Bnei Yisrael in a more glorious future.
But a sukka, a simple booth, is a strange metaphor for divine protection, which we expect to be the strongest possible. Yaakov Avinu and family, after escaping danger from Eisav, traveled to a place where he built a house for his family and a sukka for his flock (Bereishit 33:17). Yes, people prefer houses, and a sukka is only a temporary dwelling. But interestingly, Yaakov named that place not for the house that he built but for the sukkot he built, calling it Sukkot.
The Zohar famously calls our stay in the sukka as being in the shadow of belief. Therefore, we can explain that we do not want to think about divine protection in terms of a house. We specifically want to feel the physical vulnerability, with the ultimate protection and confidence coming from our relationship with Hashem.
Sukkot is meant to celebrate the protection of Hashem that can often be forgotten. While the first two of the shalosh regalim celebrate historically momentous events with great miracles, the Exodus and the revelation of Hashem and giving of the Torah at Sinai, Sukkot commemorates the 40 years of survival in the desert. One way of looking at it is that nothing miraculous happened then; we just survived. But that is very far from the truth. Instead of incredible one-time miracles, the people were sustained by relatively subtle but miraculous and critical daily miracles, from the manna to the well to the protective clouds. This should remind us more accurately of the "miracles that are with us every day." We can fail to notice that we are surrounded and protected by the Master of the Universe, but when we are in the shadow of belief, we know that we are indeed protected by Divine Providence.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts