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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
Some involve family issues, such as dealing with a rebellious child; inheritance laws; forbidden, restricted or permissible marriages; divorce; and adultery.
Other Mitzvot are concerned about our interaction with fellow Jews or non-Jews: Guarding a lost article until the owner retrieves it; making sure our home is safe when guests visit; taking special care of the most fragile members of society, such as the orphan or widow; not charging interest to fellow Jews (though normally interest would be perfectly acceptable); paying workers in a timely fashion; & several agricultural laws that serve to provide sustenance for the indigent of the community.
And then there are the Mitzvot that are strictly between ourselves and Hashem: the wearing of tzitzit, for example; fulfilling the vows we make to Hashem to perform a good deed or give charity advance our truth; and maintaining honesty in what we say & what we do
All this makes perfect sense to me. On a comprehensive level, Hashem wants us to be well-rounded & "complete." In every sphere of life, whether we’re alone, with friends or family, or involved in a community, we have to conduct ourselves as living representations (or "shadows") of G-d.
But I’m puzzled by the very last Mitzva in the Sedra:
"Remember what Amalek did to you when you were leaving Egypt. He ambushed you on the way, striking the weakest among you when you were faint & exhausted. He did not fear G-d. And so, when Hashem will give you rest from your surrounding enemies in Israel, you shall wipe out their very memory; do not forget!"
How does this Mitzva fit in with the other commandments in the Parsha? Why wasn’t it given back in Parshat B’Shalach, when we first encounter Amalek & they attack us, as noted here? Wouldn’t that make more sense?
Two thoughts: First, the battle vs. Amalek encompasses the 3 elements we noted earlier: They attacked us personally (& so the pasuk says "L’cha" & not "LaChem"); they preyed on the most vulnerable, & they did not fear Hashem. Moreover: It seems that, alas, we shall always have enemies (thus even "when we have peace with our neighbors," there is war!). But if we keep the Mitzvot aforementioned, if we personally act in a holy fashion, help others, & build a strong community, then we’ll surely overcome all the Amaleks of history until Redemption.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts