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Beit Midrash
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- 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.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
