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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
Rashi explains: Yakov never would have slept there, had he known that this was a holy place, the future site of the Bet HaMikdash. He would have continued on to a less holy site in order to rest his head.
However, Rav Moshe Feinstein says that Hashem davka wanted Yakov to sleep in that sacred spot! For what Yakov "did not know," & what G-d wanted very much to teach him – and us! - was that every activity we perform in life - be it eating, dressing, or even sleeping – can be a holy act, if only we have the right outlook, intent & attitude.
When we eat, for example, we glorify G-d by reciting a blessing acknowledging that He provides our sustenance. We show respect for others by talking - & especially by listening! – in a dignified manner as we sit around our table, saying "please" & "thank you" as the food is passed. When we dress, we carefully & consciously choose clothes that reflect the dignity of a tzelem Elokim; clothes that are at once attractive & clean, yet modest. And when we lay down to sleep, we ask ourselves if we have used our day wisely; we beg forgiveness for any wrongs we may have committed during the day, & we request Hashem to guard us during the night as we "re-charge" our batteries through the gift of sleep, so that we can serve Him again, at full strength, tomorrow.
Yakov awakens & immediately builds a Mizbeyach. He offers oil upon it & consecrates the spot as the "House of G-d." He calls the Bet HaMikdash a "house" for now he understands that which he did not know before: that our home is the essential "laboratory of learning" where we may perceive & practice myriad Mitzvot on a daily basis & strengthen our relationship with Hashem. In fact, even the inanimate house itself can be a holy thing, if it hosts guests under its roof; if its walls house books of Torah; & if its "airspace" contains the sounds of learning, prayer, friendship & love.
The Torah begins, interestingly enough, not with an Alef, as we might have assumed, but rather with a Bet - the very letter which means "house" (& is actually shaped like a house, with an open door to welcome others!) Hashem is telling us that living a Torah life begins with the way we conduct ourselves each & every day inside our own Bayit.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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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.
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.