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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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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.
