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Beit Midrash
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A harsh conflict, which reached its apex with the sale of Yosef, split the family of Yaakov. Between the two leaders of their respective mothers’ parts of the family, Yehuda (from Leah and connected to Zilpa) and Yosef (from Rachel and connected to Bilha), we see tension that continues from Parashat Vayeishev until Parashat Vayechi.
The overall leadership, from the perspective of Sefer Bereishit, lands unequivocally in the hands of Yosef the son of Rachel. He was, after all, Paroh’s viceroy, and arguably the most powerful person in the world, and his brothers and their families needed to be "under his wings." This fulfilled Yosef’s dream about his brothers and actually the whole world bowing down to him.
How were the tears in the fabric of the nation mended? This is not divulged in Sefer Bereishit. However, there are strong indications on the matter in Divrei Hayamim, which tells of Chetzron, son of Peretz and grandson of Yehuda, marrying the daughter of Machir (I, 2:21), the son of Menashe and grandson of Yosef. Menashe, as the firstborn son of Yosef and thus the equivalent of a prince in Egypt, took an army and captured significant land east of the Jordan, which the Torah calls Gilad (the name of Machir's son). So already relatively early in the time that Bnei Yisrael were in Egypt, there was at least this prominent connection through marriage between the rival tribes.
The son of this important union, Seguv, who halachically and normally would be considered from the tribe of Yehuda, bore a son named Yair, who "had twenty three cities in the Land of Gilad" (Divrei Hayamim ibid. 22). In other words, he lived among the tribe of his maternal grandfather, Menashe. In this way, members of the tribe of Yehuda, from Leah, lived as noblemen among the descendants of Yosef and Rachel. This is the best glue to stick the pieces of the nation together.
These bonds find expression hundreds of years later, during the development of the reign of David. David was originally king only over his tribe, Yehuda. After Shaul died, he turned to the people of Yavesh Gilad, in the section of Menashe on the east bank, in which the transplanted Judeans lived. David offered them partnership in forming a united kingdom, after Shaul’s death (Shmuel II, 2:5-7). This was a strategic opportunity to continue the process of reuniting the factions within the nation. (We will develop this theme at length in the upcoming sefer, Tzofnat Shmuel.)
Let us pray that we too will merit having unity in our nation, whether those who live in Eretz Yisrael or those who live abroad.
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.
