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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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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts