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- Parashat Hashavua
Indeed, there is a tight connection between the divine revelation that found expression in the creation of the world and that which shaped world history, which reached its peak with the revelation at Sinai when Hashem gave the Torah. Each one teaches about the other. On the one hand, the first word of the Torah, "Bereishit," teaches us that the world was created for Israel and for the Torah which were both called reishit (beginning of) (Pesikta Zuyrata 1:1). On the other hand, without the connection to "before the eyes of all of Israel," there is no point to creating the world. A creation that does not know its Maker does not know itself or find the secret behind its existence, but remains in void. This is what characterized the world in its initial 2,000 years.
The world cannot appreciate its Maker without the giving of the Torah. The Kuzari (1:25) pointed out that the first of the Ten Commandments does not begin with "I am Hashem who created the world" but rather "I am Hashem who took you out of Egypt." The G-d of creation is one that remains elusive, but rather the element of Hashem that we "get to know" is the One who is involved in the world and particularly in Jewish history. That is the logic behind Rabbi Yitzchak’s question that the Torah should have started with the first mitzva related to the Exodus, for through that event, the realization of Hashem entered our hearts.
The final goal of history and the giving of the Torah is to return us to the light of the seven days of creation, to show the connection between the world and its source. From "before the eyes of all of Israel," we get to some sort of an appreciation of the creation of the heavens and earth.
Hashem commanded: "Let there be light!" The world did not come about by some sort of blind struggle between great powers without a purpose. The ex nihilo creation was the Divine Will and done by Him, so that the purpose was already embedded in the Creation before man walked on the earth. It is not man with his intellect who will lead the world, but man is just one more creation who is subservient to Hashem, whether he realizes it or not. How much better is it for a person if he agrees to it willfully?!
The Torah teaches in great metaphoric form how the first human tried to break loose of his position of dependence. He strove to "be like gods" (Bereishit 3:5), which was the sin instigated by the venom of the snake, which wants to use the mind as a tool of the desires of the eyes and taste and separate the tree of life from the tree of knowledge. Mankind made this mistake over and over again (see Yeshayahu 14:14). In our generation, when we have the threats of nuclear weapons and inter-continental missiles, we see palpably the terrible danger of the separation between the tree of knowledge and the tree of life.
Parashat Hashavua The Strength of His Actions He Told to His Nation
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, pp. 6-8
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.
