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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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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts