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Beit Midrash
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Our physical liberation at the Exodus was incomplete; we also needed a crucial spiritual component in order to perfect ourselves & justify the "Great Escape" which G-d orchestrated on our behalf. Day-by-day we would climb the mountain of self-improvement, shedding our slave persona & regaining our bearing as G-d’s first-born. Only then would we be ready for the mountain (of Sinai).
As we nightly count the Omer, we mention the 7 attributes that correspond to each day: Chesed, G’Vura, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Y’Sod, & Malchut. To achieve perfection, we should understand what these qualities are, & do our best to integrate them into our daily lives.
These 7 terms, according to the Kabala, also represent the 7 Sefirot (spheres) of the Universe & the 7 thousand-year periods through which humanity must pass before we ultimately reach the Final Redemption. If our counting is accurate, then we in Hebrew year 5783 are in the very last quarter of that 6th thousand-year period, just a bit before Geula (thus the phrase, "Reva L’Sheva.").
Kabbalists differ as to which is the 1st & the last of the Sefirot. Some say Malchut is the last stage, because at that point in history, we & the world at large will willingly come to accept G-d’s Kingship (Malchut) & authority.
But others say the last phase of existence is Chesed. Ultimately G-d, the Giver, will bring the Redemption out of abundant kindness to humanity (whether we deserve it or not) as a gesture of Hashem’s unqualified love for us.
If that is so - & Chesed is indeed the final stage - then we are now in the era of Gevura. "Gevura" is a mystical blend of strength, will & purpose that together make up what we call Courage. Courage is what enables us to step up & be proud that we are Jews & carry the name "Israel;" to admit our failings & dare to be better; to believe – really believe - that there is a G-d who is the true source of our sustenance & survival.
Our Rabbis warn us that as we near Geula, times will get tougher & the challenges of Am Yisrael will increase. Yes, Hashem will deliver the ultimate Chesed to us - but we shall have to earn it. If we want to make it to the end of the rainbow, we will have to gather all our courage & hang tough in what may be very, very tough times.
For in the final Sefira, it will be Courage that Counts.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.