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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
Another midrash (Sechel Tov, Vayechi 50:24) goes into more detail on this "secret code" to convince the nation that they should trust the bearer of the news of pakod yifkod. It adds on the significance of the next word in the pasuk: "pakod yifkod etchem" (He will certainly redeem you (plural)). The midrash explains that Hashem knew and told them that He would shorten the prescribed time of exile because of the crying out of the masses.
What is the significance of pakod yifkod? Is it simply some type of secret password? What would happen if the secret of the code would leak out and an unauthorized person would use it? What does the midrash mean by saying the liberation was dependent on the masses, and how did they see it in the p’sukim? Is it simply from the use of etchem in the plural? Wasn’t that grammatically necessary because Yosef was speaking to his several brothers?
To deal with these difficult questions, we will raise the following suggestion. Yosef used specifically the double language of pakod yifkod to teach us that the goal of the Exodus, the first liberation, and as a continuation of it, the final liberation, will be a liberation of the masses, of the nation as a nation, including all of its parts. It is not enough to leave Egypt for the purpose of ceasing to be slaves. The challenge is much, much more all-inclusive and lofty. The nation leaving Egypt must turn into an independent entity, which lives in and as an independent state with all of its trappings. A state with a government and an army, an office of agriculture and an office of commerce and industry, a foreign affairs department and an office of finance. The idea is that it is not just individuals who must serve Hashem as individuals, as it was in the time of the patriarchs. Rather, there must be an independent state in whose public life, all parts of the public are partners in the implementation of the Torah of the patriarchs.
Pakod yifkod is a prompt to establish a society of justice and kindness, where all are assured a fair deal. There must be a society that is concerned about its weaker elements, and to which other countries can look to learn how every element of society is properly handled. Society must include not only the righteous, but also those on an average level, and even the wicked. Society cannot give up on anyone, even if it strives for a situation in which as many as possible will be righteous.
Pakod tells us we need mefakdim (officers) and mefakdim of mefakdim. Yosef taught his brothers that liberation is not to solve the problems of individuals. Liberation of only the ideal members of society is not liberation. The liberator must inform the nation that he is there for all of them. That is Yosef’s secret!
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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.