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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
Let us compare the language of the two relevant conversations. In the first one, the brothers start with the offer/request that they will be Yosef’s slaves, and then when he reveals his identity and tells them that he is their brother whom they sold into slavery and cries, he consoles them with his contention that this sale brought about their survival during the famine (Bereishit 45:2-5). In our parasha, they again offer to be slaves and Yosef again cries, but while Yosef placates their greatest fears, he does say that the brothers had thought in an ill manner about him (ibid. 50:17-20).
Although the two episodes share fear, crying, and putting a somewhat positive spin on the family’s history, there are differences. The second one does not mention the sale of Yosef, but, on the other hand, there is more focus on the brothers’ bad thoughts than on the salvation that came about. The idea behind this is that while the sale itself was atoned for by Yehuda’s willingness to be a slave instead of Binyamin, the brothers’ intention to remove Yosef from Eretz Yisrael and from Yaakov’s family was not fully resolved.
This matter is actually resolved in a third meeting between the brothers, at the end of Sefer Bereishit, as Yosef was preparing to die. At that time, Yosef prophesies that at some time in the future, the family/nation would leave Egypt, and Yosef makes them swear that they will return his remains to Eretz Yisrael, in which he has a double portion (ibid. 50:24-25).
In Yosef’s dreams, in the beginning of Parashat Vayeishev, Yosef stresses that he is a successor of the patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, who prophesied through dreams. For that reason, he was fit to inherit the Land that Hashem gave to them. When the brothers sold Yosef into slavery and to Egypt, they in effect denied both of these contentions. Yaakov promises Yosef that he would in fact receive a double portion in the Land, giving him a status of a firstborn (ibid. 48:21-22). Yosef passes on word of this status to his brothers and makes them swear that they will return him to Eretz Yisrael from where he was kidnapped and removed. Fulfillment of that oath will repair the damage of the sin. In that way, the brothers recognize Yosef’s leadership in all aspects. This mends the tear that began with the horrible moment of the ripping of Yosef’s special coat.
There is no liberation without internal peace within the nation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
