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Balak, King of Moab, hires a professional "curser" to curse the people of Israel – Bilam, a kind of primeval sorcerer whose name attests that he is – "without a nation" – only focused on himself and detached from the broader national context. People who are "without a nation" have a tendency to "lˈkalel", to curse, that is, to find the "kal", easy, and low side in everything. Another nickname used in the Torah to refer to Bilam is "the open-eyed man" – a person with a partial and bitter view who constantly focuses on the shortcomings (which, indeed) exist among the people of Israel.
The word "bracha", blessing, on the other hand, is from the source of "lˈhavrich", to bend a branch over and cover it with earth, so it will take root and grow a new tree. In other words: a broad view that focuses on the good and the big picture, and therefore produces good things.
The community of people settling in Judea and Samaria is the most wonderful community living in the State of Israel today. Exemplary figures who will be remembered in history. Pioneers, people of Torah, army and settlement, who sacrifice themselves daily for a great truth whose morality is becoming more and more apparent. Within this broad range, there are a number of residents who see their friends murdered and do not have enough composure to respond in a stately manner – wrongly and should be dealt with in the most decisive manner – but that is really (!) not the point now. Parts (small and decreasing thank God) of the media try to bash the settlement enterprise with the blood libel of a "pogrom atmosphere". Do not get excited. The main point now is to strengthen resilience and faith. And the faith is, as Bilam said after admitting the truth, "Mah tovu", how goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. No, do not break the law, no to anarchy but mostly yes! Yes, continue to settle; yes, keep building; yes, add another 1,000 housing units in Eli; yes, ignore the "Bilams".
And yes – we will win because of you.
The bad will pass
The good will prevail
With God's help
Rabbi Haggai Lundin
Articles about Hanukkah The Triumph of Israeli Renewal over Greek Stagnation
From "Megged Yerachim" published by "Beit Harav"
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
