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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Vayelech
This Shabbat's Torah reading, Nitzavim, standing, shows us the answer: "You are standing today before the Lord your God". The word "nitzav" means to stand upright; not necessarily in the arrogant sense but in stability, confidence and faith. It's not easy to be upright these days. Progressive culture glorifies people who are subordinate, who move and sway every way the wind blows. The politically correct sometimes refer to this in terms such as "sensitive and inclusive", even though these kinds of people only include and are sensitive to themselves. It is the pursuit of every passing fad; it is an attempt to flatter the dominant culture; it is a media judgment for a side that is perceived as weak regardless of the truth; these are the fears of Arabs, thugs and "what will they say about me?"
For those who do not stand up straight before God, there really are reasons to fear the New Year – who knows? Maybe someone will shame them in the coming year? Maybe the country will be destroyed? Maybe I won't get the money, honor, health, and sense of purism that I can't live without?
Whoever stands upright before God hears the continuation of the Torah – "to pass you into the covenant of the Lord"; there is a covenant between us and God! This is not a promise to accept our interest here and now; "covenant" means connection. There is an inseparable connection between us and our God. This is the simple and clear sound made by the shofar. We will stand before the New Year, knowing that our God will lead us exactly – but exactly – to where we need to go.
Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova!
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Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.