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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Purim & The Month of Adar
- The Month of Adar
What about Tishrei, which has in it both Rosh Hashana, a pretty upbeat, happy holiday, as well as Sukkot, with its meals eaten al fresco, the only Chag that commands us, "v’hayita ach sameach" – you must only be happy!
Or what about Nisan?! That’s the month when we were finally freed from slavery, achieved independence & had umpteen miracles done for us. That’s not happiness?!
More on this in just a moment, but first, another question: Why is Esther called Esther, rather than her given name Hadassah (perhaps after the hospital?!)? The classic answer, of course, is that "Esther" connects to "nistar – hidden," since she wisely kept her Jewish lineage hidden from King Never-can-spell-his-name-right-in-English.
But I have another thought on the matter for you: The name "Esther – hidden" relates to much more than just one solitary person. It is a grand statement about the entire saga of Purim in Persia and in fact, it suggests a deeper, more profound comment on Jewish life itself.
The Jews of Shushan were baffled & totally besides themselves. Just the other day they were the sovereign’s sweethearts, close up & cushy with the king, sitting at his banquet in choice seats & sipping (kosher) wine. And now, in a flash, they’re destined for destruction at the hands of Haman the Heartless, without a clue as to their crime. "Why us?" they cry. "Where did we go wrong?"
And then, to their further chagrin, they see Esther strutting royally about the palace. "Hey, what is she doing?! Did she cut some kind of secret deal with the crown; did she sell us out?!"
But all this anxiety & foreboding suddenly turns upside down when the Jews get the news that Haman got the noose. Our salvation is kept hidden til then, but when it is finally revealed, our joy & jubilation knows no bounds. True happiness, you see, is when unexpected – maybe even undeserved - good fortune comes our way. And that is why Adar qualifies as #1 in the happiness column.
In truth, this describes all of Jewish life. We worry, we face enemies, we fixate on all the hassles & heartaches that we think surround us. Yet all the while, Mazal & miracles are being Divinely prepared for us; they’re only hidden til just the right moment. So on Purim - & every day – be happy!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
