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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
His greatest disappointment was being told by Hashem that he would not be allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. But Moshe pleaded; according to Chazal, he offered no less than 515 prayers (the gematria of "V’Etchanan"), all to no avail. He was willing to enter as a "private citizen," rather than as leader of the nation, but that was rejected. He even, says the Medrash, asked to become a bird & fly over the border, but Hashem nixed that, too!
Many reasons are given for Moshe’s desperate desire to live in Israel, the principal one being that he wished to fulfill the Mitzvot that can only be earned in Israel, like Shmita or Ma’aser. Others say that it wasn’t about any specific Mitzva; it was simply Moshe’s steadfast belief that every Jew should live in the Holy Land, that the greatest Mitzva one can do is to be surrounded by the Kedusha permanently permeating this, & only this land.
But there is yet another compelling reason why Moshe was so insistent, even obsessive in wanting to join his people in Eretz Yisrael.
According to some of the commentaries, Moshe very much wanted to be part of the war of conquest that would be fought against the 7 Canaanite nations then residing within the land. He wanted to join a brigade & fight side-by-side with Israel’s brave soldiers, under Yehoshua’s command, & be one of those Giborim who would liberate Israel & claim it for the Jewish People forever. The z’chut, the privilege of being a chayal, Moshe felt, was among the greatest merits he could ever gain in this world. That was one source of his desire to cross the border into Israel & add "soldier" to his titles of King, Navi & Rabbeinu.
What an appropriate message, as we reflect on the wars, both within & without our borders, that we have been fighting for so long, & the current controversy over soldiers & pilots considering "boycotting" military service.
There is no the greater responsibility nor greater honor than donning a Tzahal uniform & fighting to protect the Jewish People. There are some special individuals, such as surgeons & soldiers, who stand apart from the crowd in both their willingness to sacrifice & their elevated status in society, & they must always be above the fray.
We stand in respect of them & in their great merit, we ask that Hashem save us (mostly, from ourselves), bring us true Nechama in these challenging times & grant us victory & lasting Shalom.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.