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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.
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
