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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
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.
