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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Beshalach
But hidden in the text, I suggest to you, is much, much more than that; in fact, virtually all of Jewish history is encapsulated in the very first paragraph of our Sedra. So let’s now take our own journey along with Bnei Yisrael:
We read, "v’lo nacham Elokim….ki karov hu." Hashem didn’t take us on a "short cut" to Israel, but rather took the long way. Rashi says "nacham" can mean "to lead," but we know the usual meaning is "to pity, or console." I suggest G-d is telling us right from the get-go this will not be a cushy, comfy journey either to Israel, or even when we get there. It will be hard – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As Tom Hanks famously said: "If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great."
And then the Torah uses the word "chamushim." While there are many commentaries on this word, the simple translation is "armed." Simply put, we had weapons with us. We would have to organize an army & we would have to fight, for although Hashem is an "Ish Milchama," He asks that we live according to natural behavior & do our fair share, even if that means we risk our lives in battle.
The pasuk then references the "bones of Yosef" that we took with us on our voyage. Clearly, this sends the image of all our martyred people throughout the centuries who sacrificed their lives for Hashem, the nation & the land. Think the Dry Bones of Yechezkel or the bones left in the crematoria after the Shoa. They are also a part of us, & so we are reminded, "hashbe’ah, hishbiya," we took a sacred oath when we became a People that we would stand together & we would keep the Torah; G-d, for His part, would guard us eternally & bring us home to Israel.
The first place we stop at on this tiyul thru history is, fittingly, Sukkot. The Sukka is in itself a microcosm of the Jewish experience: it emphasizes the Land, where our sukka must stand; it has shaky walls much like our fragile existence; but its true essence is that which is above us.
"Hashem will lead you in a pillar of cloud by day & a pillar of fire by night." There will be pleasant times when we can leisurely watch the clouds roll by, yet other times when we must pass thru fire. G-d will be there at our side through all of it. We will survive fire, & water, & we will emerge intact on the other side, singing a song of victory & proudly proclaiming, "Hashem yimloch l’olam va-ed!"
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook Weren't Rav Kook's Positions Unique Among Rabbis?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.