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Beit Midrash
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The simple explanation is that the British royal house sparks the imagination. This is our opportunity to live in a magical world of kings and queens, princes and princesses; the scandals, the clothes, the ceremonies - have allowed Western culture to live in a "soap opera" for many years.
But there is something deeper: in a postmodern, technical, cynical and cold world - the concept of "royalty" is missing for people. While democracy grants freedom to the individual, it partially sterilizes the concept of the "klal", the whole. The descriptions of God that will soon be said on Rosh Hashana are in terms of kingdom. The concept of a "king" in the Bible is different from that of the monarchy formulated in world history, but the common denominator is that the monarchy gives a connection to the whole; and this is what humanity in the 21st century is missing. People are looking for the power of the whole; the desire to feel a connection to something big, historic and magnificent - and they imagine finding it in the legend of Buckingham palace.
The sorrow over the queen's death should be in the right proportion: this is not the "end of an era" and not the end of Britain. It is sorrow for the death of an impressive woman who played an important (symbolic) role in history. The main spiritual meaning that can be derived from this is the recognition of the human need for connection to greatness and eternity; a need - which, despite attempts to extinguish it, wakes up anew each time. And it will continue to beat in our hearts; and will also appear in the future in a deeper, correct and greater way - in connection with the King of Kings.
The bad will pass.
The good will prevail.
With God's help.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.