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The sin of bowing down to the Golden Calf epitomizes the opposite outlook. Perhaps for this reason, the second Tablets were in an ark made of wood (ibid. 10:1-4), not one whose inside and outside were gold (see Shemot 25:10-22). (We will not get involved here in the question of how many arks there were.)
In the desert, dependence on the material world was limited. It was the entry into Eretz Yisrael and the material success there that raised this as a challenge to relate properly to the physical world. The pasuk about the desert says that Hashem gave the people the manna as opposed to regular food "in order to teach you that man does not live on bread alone" but on that which Hashem speaks (Devarim 8:3). Regarding Eretz Yisrael, the Torah says that the nation was going to a good land of streams, which produces wheat, barley, grapes, …, in which there will be plenty of food and quarries for important metals (ibid. 7-9).
On the one hand, a life of plenty has a spiritual advantage, in that there is much to thank Hashem for when we eat the food of the Land (ibid. 10). On the other hand, the Torah warns that when one is successful in having nice houses, plentiful livestock, and an accumulation of precious metals, his ego may become inflated, and he may think that he alone is responsible for his own success (ibid. 12-18). It is critical for him to remember that it is Hashem who gave him the ability to receive all of those blessings.
The same issue pertains to military activity. Moshe foretold that Hashem would help Bnei Yisrael conquer great cities and powerful giants (ibid. 9:3). On the other hand, the Torah warns not to think that it is out of our righteousness that we succeeded in these conquests, but rather due to Hashem’s promise to us (ibid. 4-6).
After 3,500 years since the original entry into the Land, we have merited to return to Eretz Yisrael and establish an independent state that has registered many successes in the physical world. Our population enjoys a high standard of living and one of the world’s highest life expectancies. We are the epitome of scientific success and technological innovation.
Let us remind ourselves: the main thing is the spirituality, clinging to the Divine Presence. We did not succeed in order to sink into materialism. Our military power is reason to thank Hashem, which should be a goal in and of itself. We would like to be fully deserving of such success, based on our spiritual accomplishments, but the path is still long until we get there. Let us pray that we will succeed in the many important tasks before us.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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.
