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Beit Midrash
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Why are so many elements in Tanach only clarified by connecting different sections of Biblical text? We should understand that all of Tanach is one book, which is composed of 24 sub-books. Therefore, a full picture is only possible after seeing all of the places in which Tanach deals with the event or idea at hand. Chazal coined the following phrase to deal with this phenomenon: "The words of the Torah are poor in one place and rich in another" (Yerushalmi, Rosh Hashana 3:5). The appearance of a certain topic in multiple sources allows us to compare and contrast them and to receive additional depth and dimension.
The prophet Yirmiyahu provided the basis for expressing and analyzing this matter: "Indeed, My words, said Hashem, are like fire and like a hammer that smashes rock" (Yirmiyahu 23:29; see Shabbat 88b; Sifrei, B’haalotcha 102). This means, in context, that due to the divine source of Torah, we are not able to absorb the whole divine message at one time, and, therefore, the Torah breaks it up into multiple appearances that enable human comprehension. The Yerushalmi (Nedarim 3:2) uses this idea to illustrate the phenomenon of different words being "spoken" by Hashem at the same moment at Sinai (e.g., zachor and shamor, and shav and sheker).
The full picture is achieved only when we learn all of the contexts in which the matter comes up, as upon making the proper analysis, the pieces form together into one complete picture. This is based on the firm belief that all of Tanach is one work. The first part, Torah, was given to Moshe directly by Hashem. The second part, Nevi’im, was given by means of prophecy to the prophets from the time of Yehoshua to that of Chagai, Zecharia, and Malachi. Ketuvim, the third part, was written with ruach hakodesh (divine spirit) and was completed with the writing of Megillat Esther. At that point, it became a closed work, not to be added on to and not to be reduced in size by even the slightest amount. However, the messages could be spread out in myriad ways throughout the unified masterwork.
The story of Moshe’s birth was also broken into small pieces as it came down from the Heavens into a physical world, as it was given to human beings who were created from earth and return to earth. Delving into Torah study enables us to reunite the broken pieces of physicality into a unified spiritual concept, whose source is from the One Creator.
As we often do, we stress that the search for unity in all forms is the basis of our existence and success.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
