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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayeshev
Many commentators, including the Alshich are bothered: Could it be wrong for a tzaddik to ask for tranquility and must he suffice only with reward in the World to Come? We would point out that Avraham was promised wealth and Bnei Yisrael were promised great riches upon leaving slavery, and those are certainly pleasures of This World. The Alshich answers that the problem was not wanting such things but asking for them. We can point out, though, that our prayers, presumably recited by tzaddikim as well, including the Yehi Ratzon for Rosh Chodesh and Tefillat HaShelah include requests that seem more "This Worldly" than shalva. Maybe it is a problem only if one initiates his own fervent request for such elements specifically and it is fine to recite general requests made for the masses. Whatever we will explain, let us clarify that this is only an expectation of great tzaddikim, with whom Hashem is very exacting (see Yevamot 121b).
The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 84:3) from which Rashi apparently took this idea is somewhat more "lenient" than Rashi. For one, it attributes the complaint not to Hashem, but to the Satan, as something to instigate about (making it farther from an actual sin). Additionally, it says that it applies to tzaddikim who live in tranquility and ask to live in tranquility. In other words, if one is undergoing difficult times, it is understandable, even for a tzaddik, to ask for a respite. If he is already enjoying such times and it is still on his mind, then there could be some divine dissatisfaction. Indeed, at the time Yosef was sold, Yaakov had been back with his father for close to ten years. So according to the midrash, at that time, the balance of his focus should have been somewhat different.
One of the commentaries of Midrash Rabba, Y’dei Moshe, presents a fascinating idea about the negative element of wanting shalva, which relates to the next passage in the midrash. After finding sources that not only Avraham but also Yaakov converted people, it looks for a source that Yitzchak converted people as well. It learns from our opening pasuk, "Vayeishev Yaakov b’eretz megurei aviv" (Yaakov lived in the land in which his father lived) that megurei refers to the meguyarei (those who his father converted). The Y’dei Moshe goes on that since one is not to convert people when things are too good for the Jews (as it raises the possibility of ulterior motives), if Yaakov had too much tranquility, he would not be able to convert people anymore.
Let us broaden the message of the Y’dei Moshe. Hashem wants his tzaddikim on close to a single-minded, if broad, mission – to spread Torah values as widely as possible. While a certain amount of shalva and even wherewithal could be helpful, a tzaddik should best concern himself only with things that promote success in that realm. Other berachot can wait for the World to Come.
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.
