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The Ari z"l offers the following explanation of the Pasuk: "Why is it, he asks, that so many calamities have befallen the Jewish People through the ages? Why do we so often receive a "guilty verdict" from G-d & suffer so much? This cannot be the normal course of human events!"
The Ari answers, from the verse: "It is because of the many disputes between "blood & blood," between Jews & fellow Jews. Our constant machlokot, the disputes within "our own gates," bring upon us these catastrophes. Now, if this was true in his day – before the acrimonious posturing between Zionism & non (or anti-) Zionism, before Light Rail riots & before the divisive debate over the "peace" process, it is certainly true today.
So what is the solution? If both sides sincerely believe in their positions, how can we ever stop the bickering & brotherly battles? Surely, we do not have to abdicate our right – perhaps, our responsibility – to advance our truth; we need not suppress our legitimate opinions.
Rather, I suggest what we need to do, on a much more concerted & conscious level, is seek out issues & causes on which we can agree. To sometimes put aside those items which are sure to divide us, & pick up those things on which we know we can find common ground.
As a rabbi back in the States, I belonged to a rabbinical organization that represented a wide range of theological positions. We decided on a rule that at first glance seems absurd, but actually made a whole lot of sense: We rabbis could & would discuss any & all issues - except those having to do with religion! We knew that would be a sure-fire prescription for in-fighting & dissolution.
So instead we concentrated on "non-religious" projects that bound us together: Soviet Jewry; Ethiopian aliya, non-discrimination for religious observers; harsh sentencing for hate-crimes, increased funding for Jewish education, subsidies for Jewish summer camps, & so on. We accepted that, spiritually, we were miles apart. But there were still lots of things that we all could agree on.
Perhaps the end of the pasuk hints at the greatest common cause behind which the Jews of today should unite: "V’Kamta V’Aliyta…and you shall get up & make Aliya, to the place that Hashem your G-d has chosen."
Shoftim Can a Sheitel be Prohibited Because of Avodah Zarah?
A Background Discussion about the use of Indian Hair
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
