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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yaakov Ben Behora
Our Rabbis have passed on a tradition (see Rashi on Hoshea 1:1) that only righteous kings are mentioned in the headings of the books of the prophets. A wicked king will be mentioned only if both his father and his son were righteous and he is swallowed up in a progression of those who are fit to be mentioned. (The classic example is Achaz.) For that reason, Menashe was not mentioned in Yeshayahu. Chazal were sure that Yeshayahu did operate in Menashe’s time, for they relate that Menashe actually killed Yeshayahu, his maternal grandfather (Yevamot 49b). Menashe was considered the worst of all of the kings that ruled over Judea. His sins included the classic anti-religious travesty of promulgating idol worship but also included the human abomination of multiple murder (see Melachim II, 21: 2-9, 16). He is also the one identified as most responsible for the pending destruction of the First Temple, which was decreed in his time, although it was carried out during the reign of his descendant, Tzidkiyahu (see Yirmeyahu 15: 1-3).
So why were there so many optimistic prophecies at the time of so much sinning? A prophet is not a newspaper columnist to report what is transpiring in his time. Rather, it is his job to bring the word of Hashem to the people. At the relatively strong time of Uziyah there was a need to warn the people about the difficult future of the Assyrian conquest. In contrast, when Bnei Yisrael had reached a low at the time of Menashe, there was a fear that they would feel so overwhelmed by what was required of them to reach the proper level. They might give up hope and decide that Hashem had given up on them once and for all. The prophet came and pronounced clearly, "Be consoled, be consoled, My nation, says your Lord."
Let us pray that we too will merit seeing the continuation of the fulfillment of the prophecies of consolation.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
