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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.
The Rediscovery of Tekhelet: A Century of Research Tekhelet and Life's Temptaions
The Rediscovery of Tekhelet: A Century of Research
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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.
