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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
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By looking at other prophecies, we can uncover another condition for the Shechina. Amos tried to convince Hashem not to send the Ten Tribes into exile and destroy the Kingdom of Israel and its capital, Shomron. He succeeded twice (see Amos 7:6 and ibid. 3). However, his third prophecy contains a frightful message: "I will not continue to pass over [the deserved punishment] … the temples of Israel will be destroyed and I will rise up against the House of Yerovam with the sword" (ibid. 8-9).
What caused the Attribute of Strict Judgment to take over? The hint is in the opening pasuk of the prophecy: "So I was shown, Hashem was nitzav on a wall checked with a plumb line and in His Hand was a plumb line." Here nitzav is related to the plumb line and hints at the mathematical meaning of a perpendicular line as well as the hint of the Shechina. The condition for Shechina is rectitude, i.e., honesty, as opposed to the crookedness that prevailed in the Kingdom of Israel. Amos is saturated with criticism of corruption and social dysfunction. Hashem revealed Himself to the forefathers because they were straight in their moral path. This is what made Yaakov fit to receive his prophetic dream. Hashem is found only in a place that is built straight, "with the help of a plumb line."
The political struggles that have been shaking Israeli society in the last few years are accompanied by a lack of rectitude and by complaints directed at rivals from other political parties. Falsifying facts and presenting fabrications have become commonplace. Due to this, the public loses faith in its politicians and in the "horns in the hands of the media," whose job it is to report objectively on the ideas and actions of those who take part in molding the actions of society. The resulting lack of faith, along with incessant incitement against those who are "different," are liable, Heaven forbid, to activate the Attribute of Strict Judgement. Then, the end can be scarily unpredictable.
If we care about our lives, we must unite and increase rectitude
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
