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Another dispute: What did the Maccabim do when they found that 1 jar of unblemished oil? Did they put all the oil in the Menora at one time, so at least 1 day would be a "pure" & complete Mitzva? Or did they divide up the jar & place 1/8 of the oil in the Menora each night, so as to at least do some of the Mitzva?
The underlying philosophy behind both of these issues is the same: Should we try to go right to the top, shoot for immediate stardom, go for broke? Or, should we rather start small & work our way up, step by step, higher & higher, until we reach the summit?
In a world of perfection, of absolutes – like Olam Haba, which is populated by Angels & holy souls – the Halacha is indeed like Bet Shamai. But here on Earth, we mortals follow Bet Hillel’s approach, increasing light gradually, little by little, light by light.
Life is all about growth, about slow but steady progress towards a higher goal. Note how Yosef, our Sedra’s protagonist, grows significantly through the years: At first, he is an arrogant, somewhat conceited & immature lad. "V’hu na’ar," says the pasuk, he was but a "na’ar," a kid, a "work in progress." But later, after much trial & trauma, Yosef becomes a leader of men; he fulfills his destiny as the provider for his family & is a study in self-control. He has climbed the mountain from "na’ar" to "Tzadik."
Chazal tell us that the primary Mitzva which the Syrian-Greeks tried to deny to Am Yisrael was circumcision, brit mila. The Greeks worshipped beauty & the body. In their culture, a deformed child was left on a mountain-top to die, while those with fine physiques were exalted. (Thus, Helena, the goddess of beauty, was their primary deity, and their Olympics were conducted in the nude).
But we Jews believe that we are not born perfect; rather, we have the potential to reach perfection. This is signified by our very body, created "imperfectly" - until we perform the brit. By the same token, our souls – like our bodies - need a lot of work in order to reach their potential, & so we go about refining our neshamot through a daily regimen of Torah, Tefila & Tzedaka.
Life, & Chanuka, are like a sufganiya: Don’t try to swallow it all in one bite!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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
