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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Shmot
A name is a fascinating thing. On the one hand, it’s just a word, a handle, a way for others to call us rather than merely saying, "Hey, you!" But our name goes much deeper & higher than that. In mystical fashion, our name represents our very essence, our character, our mission, our unique personality. The word "shem," to illustrate this, is at the very center of the word "neshama" or soul.
Fittingly, the story of our becoming a nation is called, Shmot - Names. We each have our own, individual name. That is something which no one can take away from us (though the Nazis tried). We react instinctively & are proud of our name, because it reminds us that we are each a valuable person, that we have self-worth. Hashem knows each of us by name; He recognizes us individually & cherishes our existence.
And we have a collective name, as well. When put all together, we are Yisrael. That name contains within it our 2 most outstanding qualities: We are Yashar, morally upright; & we are devoted to El, Hashem. If we live up to those ideals, then each of us a Sar-El a prince of G-d. The letters of Yisrael also encompass our progenitors, the Avot & Imahot: Yud for Yitzchak & Yakov; Shin for Sara; Raish for Rivka; Alef for Avraham; Lamed for Leah.
In Gematriya, Yisrael (541) equals HaMitzvot. We are defined by the commandments we keep. It also equals Or V’Choshech, light & darkness. We are a people of intense energy; either we are a source of brilliance in the world, or afflicted with gloom. We are never in-between.
The most prominent name in our Sedra, of course, is Moshe, a most intriguing name. It can be Egyptian, recalling Moshe’s early years spent in Paro’s palace. It can also be Hebrew, telling the story of his life, how he was plucked out of the water. And it can also define Moshe’s mandate: "He who pulls others out." Out of slavery, out of exile & subjugation & into freedom.
Our name represents our potential for greatness. Our Sages say that when we neglect to live up to our name, we place ourselves in a kind of personal exile. And so the custom, at the conclusion of the Amida, is to recite p’sukim connected to our name & then to say the verse, Hashem Tzuri V’Goali; G-d is my Rock & my Redeemer.
So what’s in a name? Our history, our destiny, our path to redemption. May we all merit to acquire a good name, a Shem Tov. It’s what we’ll take with us to Olam Haba.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.
