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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Hanukkah
- Reflections on Chanukka
Does it revolve around the miracle of the oil lasting for 8 days instead of just 1? After all, that is what the Gemara in Shabbat answers to the question "Mye Chanuka, what is Chanuka?" And the fact that the rabbis instituted the lighting of a Chanukiya each night - with a bracha that pointedly refers to it as a Mitzva, on a par with a Biblical commandment – seems to reinforce that view.
But then, why is this miracle not referenced at all in the Al HaNisim prayer that we recite in honor of Chanuka both in the Amida & the Birkat HaMazon? All we speak about there, in a fairly long paragraph, is the military victory of the Maccabim over the Greeks, the "many delivered into the hands of the few?" Why no mention of the oil?
Let us, in our usual fashion, answer this by asking another question: What exactly did the Kohanim do when they discovered that 1 pure, un-defiled jar of oil? Did they put all the oil in the Menora, the Ner Tamid, & light it; or did they divide the oil into 8 portions & light that 1/8th each night, knowing it would take 8 days to get new oil?
Most opinions hold that the oil was indeed divided into smaller amounts. The reasoning behind this was that it was necessary for us to do something each night towards fulfilling the Mitzva, even if it fell short of perfect. For once we contributed & did our share, we could turn to Hashem & ask Him to do His share. Similarly, Elisha the Prophet told the poor widow of Ovadia to bring her small jar of oil & keep pouring it into numerous vessels in order to generate a large amount of oil. She, too, had to begin the process of the miracle, so that G-d could complete it.
There is a partnership between ourselves & Hashem; when we want to create miracles we must "join forces" & work together. This was the secret to both the miracle of the oil as well as the victory over the Greeks. Both were miraculous events, the war no less than the oil. We were heavily outnumbered – the Midrash even says - obviously exaggerating! - that we faced no less than 10 million enemy soldiers. But we fought nevertheless, & prevailed.
So in the 2 books we use regularly, the Gemara & the Siddur, this point is doubly emphasized, to drive it home. Do you want your field to blossom? Then plant! Do you want your funds to grow? Invest them! Do you want your children to learn? Then teach them! Ultimately, Hashem’s bracha will seal the deal, but only after we do our fair share as well. G-d, as you’ve heard, helps those…
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A Background Discussion about the use of Indian Hair
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.
