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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Tazria
Two types of tumah are discussed: tumah that accompanies birth and tumah that comes about during life, which can come in many forms, including tzara’at of the body, clothes, and property. The latter type can be attributed to sin, whereas tumah from birth cannot.
The laws relating to the human body are specified after the laws of animals and birds, just as their creation was after those of the animals (Rashi, Vayikra 12:2). Man vacillates between greatness and lowliness, and between "If he is virtuous, they say about him that he is preferable to the angels" and "If he is not virtuous, they tell him that a mosquito is preferable to him" (Bereishit Rabba 8:1). The Torah teaches that all of creation was done for man, and this designation places great responsibility upon him, to use things well and not ruin them (see Kohelet Rabba 7:13). Man is a "two-sided creation" – from earth of the ground, with a soul that Hashem blew into him. As a result, we have two opposite inclinations – the animalistic one, which is related to the ground, and the divine power. It is as if man is in the middle. Opposite the kedusha is tumah, and both accompany him. This teaches us not to have illusions or believe he can just close his eyes to the lurking spiritual dangers. In fact, the greater a person is, the greater his inclination toward tumah.
When a baby is born, he receives an evil inclination, which comes with tumah. The special requirement of doing a brit mila on the eighth day (including on Shabbat) is only when he was born in a manner that brings tumat leida to the mother (Shabbat 135b). This is because the point of the mila is to defeat the tumah; if he does not, it will eventually overtake him.
This is true of the individual and the nation. On the one hand, Hashem "damaged" us by giving us an evil inclination (see Micha 4:6; Berachot 32a). However, although it is "evil," it was not created to harm us, but so we should struggle against it and defeat it. Chazal tell us that the Torah is an herb that helps us against the evil inclination (Kiddushin 30b). An herb improves food, making it a better substance, and the Torah/evil inclination connection is true personally and nationally.
It is certainly bad to be too distant from Hashem, but sometimes it is a mistake to draw too close (see Vayikra 16:1). It can come from haughtiness that causes lashon hara and tzara’at. This is a crucial sign from Hashem – if we let it, the evil inclination will take over a person.
One should remember that he has the potential to be greater than the angels. Just as thinking too much of himself can cause horrible abuses, so the evil inclination can attack a person by telling him he is nothing. The Tribe of Levi, which is now represented by the Torah scholars, must know its greatness and ability to succeed. In a confusing world, we must have a state of calm and the ability to analyze matters and make good moral decisions.
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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.
