YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ekev
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
However we translate the word, experience shows that the feeling of power that can cause one to credit himself more and credit Hashem less can be prompted by either military or financial success. Yirmeyahu extends this phenomenon to the realm of intellect: "Let the wise not pride himself in his wisdom, let the brave not pride himself in his bravery, and let the wealthy not pride himself in his wealth" (Yirmeyahu 9:22). After mentioning the danger of abuses in those three areas, Yeshayahu warns also judges not to abuse the power associated with their high position (Yeshayahu 9:22).
What is one to do when success in the military, the realm of the intellect, finance, and even the judiciary are all corruptive? Can a society survive without these things? We need a strong army, talented entrepreneurs, and an independent and powerful judiciary! Our parasha also contains a reference to a solution.
"Do not say in your heart, when Hashem pushes out [the nations] from before you, ‘Because of my righteousness Hashem has brought me to inherit this Land’" (Devarim 9: 4). Rather our relationship with Hashem is founded upon "... in your fathers Hashem desired to love them and He chose their offspring after them" (Devarim 10:15). From what stems the merit of the forefathers, which enabled their offspring to receive the covenant with Hashem and protects them from harsh punishment (see ibid.:27)? Was it only whatever specific mitzvot that they kept even before the Torah was given at Sinai? Moshe mentions another reason why Bnei Yisrael were successful in conquering the Land, which may shed light on the issue. "For due to the wickedness of those nations Hashem has removed them from before you" (ibid.:5). The symbol of the wickedness of the nations was Sodom. Within the context of the destruction of that wicked city, Hashem declared that He saw the proper education that Avraham gave to his household in regard to "charity and justice." Any power or success can be corruptive if it is not quickly and effectively put in the context of charity and justice. Whereas the nations consistently allowed their power to corrupt, our forefathers were called "the straight ones."
Let us pray that the State of Israel will successfully follow the example of our forefathers, having chayil that is used for good and does not corrupt.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
