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Beit Midrash
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The Abarbanel asks several questions on these p’sukim, of which we will bring two. One is an apparent contradiction, in that elsewhere the navi tells of the punishment that will come to the nations, who fight Bnei Yisrael at that time, whereas here the navi speaks about the nations following in Bnei Yisrael’s light, repenting, and singing out in praise of Hashem. Another question is on the pasuk that implies that those who are liberated will come to Eretz Yisrael with their riches. The Abarbanel considers this hard to believe, considering what he knew from those tossed around in exile who needed liberation, for example, after the expulsion from Spain. Since when do Jews in exile have money to bring with them?!
The Abarbanel was correct until our days, but this is no longer difficult to believe. In the merit of our holy forefathers, the situation is very different and the prophecy as prophesized is occurring before our eyes. Jews have come from the exile with their money!
We will bring the words of the early commentators on some of these p’sukim and then try to add some little extra ideas at their fringes. The pasuk about giving light, according to Targum Yonatan and the Radak, refers to Yerushalayim. According to the Ibn Ezra, it refers to the renewal of the monarchy (i.e., independence) and prophecy. Rav Shlomo Alkabetz, the protégé of Rav Yosef Karo, in his beautiful poem, Lecha Dodi, featured prominently the call to Bnei Yisrael, represented by the Queen Shabbat, to reestablish an independent Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael with Yerushalayim as its capital. This was the vision of the holy rabbis of Safed, who came to Eretz Yisrael after the expulsion from Spain with great optimism and belief in the hastening of the liberation. This was very different from the way of thinking of the Abarbanel, who experienced, first hand, the horrors of the cruel Inquisition.
"For your light has come," according to the Radak, means that the time of the liberation, which is a great light, had come. The darkness described in pasuk 2 refers to the troubles of the hostile nations, while we experience light. In recent years, we are witnesses to the great miracle of the flourishing of the State of Israel while the neighboring nations live in relative darkness. The Radak continues that the nations following in the light refers to the nations that Yeshayahu describes as seeking to go up to the mountain of the G-d of Yaakov. Indeed, we see in many ways how the nations look up to Israel for its achievements.
We should always remember that to make progress on the road toward fulfilling more and more stages in this liberation we must work on our national unity. Hashem loves united Jews!
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.