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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?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
