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Beit Midrash
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- The Essence of the Day
Not only is the amidah directed toward Jerusalem, but the whole prayer service is too, even when we are not facing Jerusalem. Therefore, in the morning prayer we mention Zion and Jerusalem about 20 times explicitly and many more in reference. The "song of the day" is said on the stand of the Temple in Jerusalem. The incense is made in the heart of Jerusalem - the Temple of Hashem.
The blessings of shema also relate to Jerusalem. In particular, the blessing of 'ahava raba' (tremendous love) relates. In it, we pray and ask to be able to learn Torah "for the sake of your great name and for the sake of our fathers who trusted in you, to teach us the ways of life that we may do your will with a full heart." We ask to learn Torah to sanctify His great name in the world.
That is why we ask at the end of this blessing that there be a gathering of exiles and the end of the torment of the nations. "Hurry and bring upon us a blessing and peace to the four corners of the earth. And the burden of the Gentiles is broken over our necks and we are soon led into our land." All these actions are related to Torah study for the sanctification of His name.
"You are He who redeems, and You chose us from amongst the nations." All of these things take place in Jerusalem. There His great name is sanctified for all time, for eternity. Therefore, the heart of he who prays should be directed to Jerusalem throughout the prayer service, from beginning to end.
Also in the verses of song, before Shema, whose purpose is to crown Him (which happens in Jerusalem), we say "And in David’s songs, You will be praised, in praises and in hymns. We will exalt You our King and praise You. We will honor You. And we will crown You. Let’s remember the name of our king, He who gives life, and rules all the worlds." Therefore in every prayer one should direct his heart to Jerusalem.
And really we should be in Jerusalem all day. "We wish all day for your redemption." The verse from which we learned the rabbinical law that we direct our hearts to Jerusalem speaks of all the hours of the day, "And my eyes and my heart are there all the days." This is what He does, and so that is what we must do.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.