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Beit Midrash
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I want to suggest that the key pasuk comes right smack in the middle of the parsha (14:1): "You are children to Hashem your G-d; you shall not cut yourselves nor make a bald spot between your eyes for a dead person." I’m guessing you’re not quite sure why davka this oblique verse is the key to understanding the Sedra. But consider its message: First, we are G-d’s children. He loves us, He cherishes us, He wants us to be whole – not cut up into pieces (extreme body-piercers please take note!).
But the word "titgo’d’du," cut up, has another meaning. We are not supposed to divide ourselves into rival, disparate cliques ("g’dudim") which separate one Jew from another. Our strength lies in our commonality of both dogma & destiny, past & practice, friendship & future. The more we "cut ourselves off" from our co-religionists, the more estranged we become from our Eternal Father, the more our collective family suffers.
We also are warned not to create a "bald spot" between our eyes. One of the most important qualities of a Jew is to have an "ayin tov," i.e. to see others in a benevolent fashion, to look upon our neighbor favorably. The fact that we have 2 eyes, & not just one, metaphorically allows us to see both sides of an issue, & judge favorably.
Our entire Sedra, then, is devoted to bringing the nation together, by establishing standards of proper behavior, including the way we eat & the way we celebrate; by promoting charity, which binds the rich to the poor; by instituting the Sabbatical year, when debts would be forgiven. And by stressing the centrality of the Land of Israel, the Great Equalizer of each & every Jew.
This Shabbat we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Elul, a month symbolized by the mantra: "Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li:" I am my Beloved’s & He is mine. The marriage motif is prominent during this time, as we pledge our eternal love to G-d. At a (Ashkenaz) wedding, the kalla circles the chatan 7 times, reminiscent of when Yehoshua circled the walls of Jericho. Through marriage, by sharing our love with another, we break down the barriers of loneliness & isolation, "cut" through the walls which divide us, & see one another - & all the world – with loving eyes.
What better way to insure our blessing for the New Year?
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
