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Beit Midrash
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The gemara (Shabbat 88a) learns from the pasuk "They stood at the bottom of the mountain" (Shemot 19:17) that Hashem held the mountain over Bnei Yisrael’s head. A related midrash (Shemot Rabba 42:8) implies that the nation’s response of "We shall do and hear" was not fully sincere. How could that be, considering that they received great praise and prizes for that statement (Shabbat ibid.)?
Hashem raised up our spiritual level in an unprecedented manner of "jumping up in levels," as alluded to by the pasuk "I carried you on the wings of eagles" (Shemot 19:4). This took the nation from the 49th rung of impurity to the highest level of sanctity and preparedness to receive the Torah. This occurred in a revolutionary manner, by the miracles and the divine revelation the people witnessed, especially at the splitting of the sea (Mechilta, Beshalach 3). This revelation left no room for doubters of Hashem. How could one refuse to accept Hashem’s Torah and mitzvot after seeing Him and His power in the most wondrous manner?! This is what was meant by the "holding of the mountain over their heads." It was not that they spoke insincerely "We will do and hear," but that since they were under the influence of short-term amazement, it did not have a chance to be absorbed fully in their long-term psyche.
Still, how did they reach such a lofty level? This is connected to the idea that the nation’s encampment at Sinai (where the people were referenced with a singular-form verb) was done with "one heart" (Rashi, Shemot 19:1). The importance of the unity is in the fact that every Jew has two sets of strengths: a special spiritual quality (segula) and the power to act properly. When we say that "A Jew remains a Jew even if he has sinned" (Sanhedrin 44a), this is a result of the segula. But this segula is powerful only when the people are interconnected and unified as a special society/nation. Then when all the parts of the segula join together, the process of life causes the spiritual power of Israel to show itself.
For that reason, only after the nation crossed the Jordan into Eretz Yisrael was the nation responsible for the sins of individuals committed privately (Sanhedrin 43b). Because the nation was one "body," when one limb is infected, the whole body feels it. On the positive side, when there is unity, the segula of the Nation of Israel shines with full brightness. Then one cannot stray from the way of the Torah because the nation’s natural power is connected to the fulfillment of the Torah. Thus, national unity makes a connection to Torah a definite fact. The national community will, sooner or later, return to full practice of the Torah to which it is connected.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
