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Beit Midrash
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The Rambam (Beit Habechira 2:1-2) gives special standing to the Land. He says that the altar of the Beit Hamikdash was destined for a special location, chosen by Hashem. He both finds biblical support and cites oral tradition that it was the place at which Avraham bound Yitzchak before Hashem. It was also the place of Noach’s altar after the flood, the place of the offerings of Kayin and Hevel, and the place from which Adam was created and where he brought an offering after his creation.
In our parasha as well, Eretz Yisrael has a special status behind the scenes. The gemara (Zevachim 113a, as does Shir Hashirim Rabba 4) cites an opinion that there was not rain of the flood there and that is therefore from there that the dove brought the olive leaf. There is a hint at this in the prophecy of Yechezkel (22:24) who refers to the Land as "not rained upon in the day of anger." Chazal are thus teaching us that Eretz Yisrael is a unique place, which is different from any other place mentioned in Tanach.
The end of the parasha shines a negative light on Noach’s son Cham and two of his sons, Cana’an and Kush. Cham and his younger son, Cana’an, reached lowly spiritual levels and were thus subject to Hashem’s curse, reminding us of Hashem’s reaction to the sin of the snake (see Bereishit 3:14,17).
Kush was the firstborn son of Cham and the father of the infamous Nimrod, who was the blasphemer who rebelled against the Creator (ibid. 10:8-9). He led the people of the Tower of Bavel and spoke connivingly to forsake Hashem. He knew about Hashem and intended to oppose Him. Tzidon was Cana’an’s firstborn. His city was on the northwestern boundary of Eretz Cana’an, which stretched all the way to Sodom and Amora (ibid. 19), whose people became the symbol of evil.
If so, Parashat Noach is an introduction of sorts to the story of the Nation of Israel, the descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, and Leah. In fact the very end of the parasha introduces us to Avraham’s sojourns in Eretz Yisrael. The reason that Avraham was to go specifically there is alluded to in the parasha’s first section, dealing with the flood, which the Land evaded. It is a Land that is designed for living in sanctity and purity, which is why it did not require purification by means of the flood. On the other hand, after the flood, it required spiritual mending due to the horrible behavior of the descendants of Cham.
May we merit to follow in the footsteps of Avraham, on a path of charity and justice. May we discover the unique potential of Eretz Yisrael and serve as an alternative to the sinful ways of the Land’s original occupiers, Cham, Cana’an, Nimrod, and the residents of Dead Sea region.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
