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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
Tests may consist of feats of strength, or they may be feats of belief – or both. In last week’s sedra, Avraham took on a powerful array of kings and almost single-handedly defeated them. Because he was engaged in a great Mitzva – Pidyon Sh’Vuyim, rescuing Lot, his captive nephew – Avraham was sure that he would receive Divine assistance in winning the day.
In this week’s Sedra, Avraham is tested several times. He extends himself to a trio of strangers, showing them Chesed; yet he also acquiesces in the banishment of his son Yishmael, at the urging of his wife Sarah. It’s no simple thing to open your home to those in need; & it was also extremely painful to expel a son, even one that had displayed some very unsavory habits.
Avraham nearly loses Sarah, when she is kidnapped & taken hostage, & then, almost ironically, he must face the challenge of offering his & Sarah’s son as a human sacrifice. In the end, Avraham is spared by Hashem from executing Yitzchak, yet he (& we!) are still given eternal credit for his readiness to do so.
"Ma’aseh Avot siman l’banim," we say. The actions of our ancestors point our way throughout history. Dramatically, the incidents & lessons in our Parsha are particularly true today.
We are a merciful, kind people – Rachamin Bnei Rachamin. We go out of our way for strangers, & Jewish intelligence & ingenuity have blessed this world with innumerable gifts (see: Jewish Nobel Prize winners). But we also know when to keep our distance from those individuals – even our relatives – who represent an antithesis of our moral values. And we are prepared to sublimate our own beliefs to a Higher Mind, even to the extent that we will risk our own family in the process.
Israel today is facing one of its greatest tests. We are confronted by an animalistic, barbaric enemy that has breached our gates one time too many. Our natural bent towards mercy must be forcibly counteracted & we must show no compassion to these forces of evil. They must be confronted & utterly destroyed - for all of humanity’s benefit, as well as for our own.
G-d forbid, we may have to risk the lives of our extended family, even the sacrifice of those we love most, to achieve this historic victory. Placed in no-win situations by a despicable, moral-less foe, we will have to make many excruciatingly hard decisions that test our
resolve & require all the courage we can muster. We will have to steel ourselves, Avraham & Sarah-like, to subjugate our personal desires for the good of the nation.
Avraham’s first command was "Lech-Lecha," which can mean "go out of yourself." We, too, must be prepared to leave our comfort zones & do whatever must be done to defeat the enemy. With Hashem’s help, we shall emerge victorious, eradicate evil & save ourselves – & the world.
WE WILL OVERCOME THE ENEMIES AT OUR DOOR AND,
WITH HASHEM’S MIGHT AT OUR SIDE, WE WILL PREVAIL AND GO ON FOREVER.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts