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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
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- Bereshit
There appears to be insight into this question in the story of creation, of all places. This is hinted at by the fact that both Shaul and David were called adam. Let’s take a closer look at the significance of this phenomenon. David said to Shaul that the heart of an adam (a person, but here referring to King Shaul) should not be depressed due to Goliath (Shmuel I, 17:32). Avigail referred to an adam who was pursuing David. There is an indirect connection between the world of Shaul and an adam of note as well. The people who were unable to bring the Korban Pesach were those referred to as impure because "of the soul of an adam" (Bamidbar 9:6-7). Rabbi Yossi Hagelili said that these were the people who were carrying the remains of Yosef (Sukka 25a). Yosef represented the part of Bnei Yisrael that comes from Rachel Imeinu, and Shaul, from the tribe of Yosef’s only full brother and second son of Rachel, Binyamin, certainly saw in Yosef a special spiritual guide and inspiration.
David is called adam in Shmuel II, 7:19. He is famously called ha’adam hama’alah (approximately translated as, the person of a high standing) (Divrei Hayamim I, 17:17). The third place adam is mentioned in regard to David is in the "last words of David" (Shmuel II, 23:3).
The famous midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Bereishit 41) about the intertwined lives of Adam and David provides a wonderful explanation of the connection between David and adam. Adam was disturbed by what he saw prophetically, that there was a special soul who would have only a fleeting moment to live. In order to allow David to accomplish what he could in the world, Adam was given and accepted the opportunity to gift David 70 years of life. Kedushat Levi on the haftara of Vayechi develops this idea, as I do in my upcoming book, Tzofnat Shmuel.
Next week we continue to develop this theme of David and Shaul in Sefer Bereishit.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
