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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Tetzave
Notice that, curiously, the subject is left out of this opening sentence of our Sedra. Chazal explain: This is because Moshe's name does not appear anywhere in this Parsha, the only Sedra (from the time Moshe is born) that does not contain his name. This is a response to Moshe's plea to Hashem to "erase me from Your book" (32:32) if the Jewish People are not forgiven. Once Moshe had uttered these words, they had to be fulfilled. But why was this specific Parsha chosen to exclude Moshe?
Tetzave is all about the Kohen Gadol; the clothes he wore, the pomp & ceremony which accompanied his sacred service in the Mishkan. The position of Kohen Gadol is arguably the highest in the nation, for he alone could access the Urim V’Tumim & receive Hashem’s verdict for the nation on Yom Kippur.
While Ahron, Moshe’s brother, becomes Kohen Gadol, Moshe was actually the first Kohen Gadol! No doubt he would have liked to continue in this holy post, which brought a human being so close to G-d. Moshe already had the status of King & Navi; becoming Kohen Gadol would have completed the ultimate spiritual Triple Crown!
And yet, Hashem chooses Ahron, despite (or perhaps because of?) his role in the Golden Calf incident - a sin in which Moshe was guiltless - to be Kohen Gadol.
I suggest this is why Moshe stayed away davka from this Sedra; he wanted to give his brother center stage, a complete, total spotlight with no distraction at all. This is yet another example of the unparalleled humility & self sacrifice which defined Moshe’s greatness as a leader & a human being. Similarly, Moshe’s name will appear but once in the Hagada, though he is clearly its central figure.
But does this mean Moshe is forgotten? Of course not! He’s even more beloved & noteworthy by his very absence! He flees fame, but fame pursues him.
The story is told of a South African native with the unusual name of "Amazing." All his life, this modest, unassuming person felt embarrassed by his name, & so when he died, he asked that his tombstone omit his name & simply read:
"Here lies a good man, who never said a bad word, never hurt or cheated anyone. He raised a wonderful family, always wore a smile & loved each and every person he met."
And all the people who would pass by that stone in the cemetery would stop, read it, smile & say, "Amazing!!"
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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.
