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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Seder Night
- The Four Cups
This powerful passage from the Hagada is recited as we open the door on Seder night for Eliyahu haNavi, who, by tradition, will announce the coming of Moshiach. It comes just after we have poured the 4th cup of the Arba Kosot.
Among the commentaries as to why we have 4 cups at the Seder is that each cup represents a different world power that oppressed us. The 1st cup represents Babylonia; the 2nd Persia; the 3rd is Greece & the 4th is Rome. While the first three empires have long since ceased to exist, "Rome" & its successors are still considered to be prevalent in various forms, & we continue to suffer from the hatred & anti-Semitism they exhibit. That is why this 4th cup is the one that immediately precedes the call for G-d to avenge the Jewish blood that has been spilled (& this is one more reason why davka red wine, resembling blood, is considered optimum for the Seder’s 4 cups).
As a nation, we have always maintained the highest moral code. Even under the greatest duress, when we have been discriminated against & treated cruelly, we did not respond in kind. Our enemies accuse us of precisely what they themselves are guilty of, & then the U.N.A.I. (United Nations Against Israel) comes & rubber-stamps it.
So although G-d could have brought Egypt to its knees with 1 massive Plague, the Makot come in much smaller increments, allowing Paro at any point to relent, repent & save his nation. And even when the final plague hits, the Killing of the 1st-born, we are told not to emerge from our homes to gloat over their misfortune or take revenge. We are to restrain ourselves and never compromise our holiness and G-dliness.
We endure terrible trials, but justice must be done at some point, because Hashem is the Eternal Balancer of the Books. The G-d of Justice will call all the nations to account for their evil actions, as well as their evil plans that never came to fruition (thanks in great part to Hashem’s holy messengers, the IDF).
The story is told of the rabbi who was once invited to an ecumenical conference & asked to give a prayer. He agrees, but on the condition that the other clergy keep it non-denominational & do not mention their specific religion. But the priest ends his prayer in the name of JC, & the imam gives his in the name of Allah. The rabbi, clearly incensed at their arrogance and abrogation of their agreement, gets up to the podium, shakes his fist at his colleagues & yells out: "Sh’foch chamatcha al ha-goyim!" He then looks out at the audience, smiles & says, "How good it is when brothers dwell together."
Patience & punishment, revenge & reconciliation, it’s all in the mix, & all in good time. Chag Kasher V’Sameach.
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?
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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.
