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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayishlach
The middle letters of Yisrael form the word rosh (head). This symbolizes Yaakov’s desire to reach the head of his famous ladder. There are other, related, appropriate meanings. Head also symbolizes leadership, being the head and the first (rishon). For example, when Shimi ben Geira came to greet David when he returned from his exile during Avshalom’s rebellion, he is called the "rishon of the whole House of Yosef" (Shmuel II, 19:21).
The connection between leadership/strength and Yaakov’s new name is explicit, as the angel explains it: "… for you have acted with authority (sarita) with angels and people and have succeeded" (Bereishit 32:29; this pasuk can be translated in many ways). The root is found elsewhere in this meaning in verb form, as Avimelech is described as ruling over Israel for three years with the word "vayasar" (Shoftim 9:22).
In many ways, sin and shin are the same letter, so yashar (straight) is also a form of the same root. Shimshon, then, may have intended for a double entendre, when he asked his father to take for him a Philistine wife because she was yashar in his eyes (ibid. 14:3). He not only meant that he liked her but that she was his means of obtaining dominion over her people.
The meaning we would like to focus on is of yashar in the realm of ethics. Chazal call Sefer Bereishit, Sefer Hayashar, because the patriarchs were ethical. In one of the most uplifting sections in the Torah commentaries, the Netziv, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin (the greatest Torah center in Europe at its time), explained the difference between a tzaddik (righteous) and the preferable yashar.
The Netziv refers to the nation at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple as having many tzaddikim and people who were dedicated to Torah and its study, yet they were a difficult generation – these people were not yashar in the way they led their lives. Because of baseless hatred, they accused those who did not share their philosophy of being heretics, causing violence and discord, which led to the destruction. Hashem "cannot stand" such tzaddikim, and yearns for yesharim, truly ethical people, like the patriarchs. Even though the tzaddikim primarily acted with good intentions, Hashem was justified in bringing the destruction of the Temple.
The Netziv continues to point out that the patriarchs acted in good faith and with cordiality even with lowly idol worshippers, seeing them as partners in building the world. Avraham prayed for the people of Sodom, even though he hated them due to their wickedness. The midrash (Devarim Rabba 3:15) says that Avraham was chosen over all of the other righteous people because he tried to defend and find the good in all sorts of people.
So, Yaakov, who started off as "an unblemished man, who sat in tents" (Bereishit 25:27) was crowned as Yisrael, both tzaddik and yashar. May we merit leadership by people who are both tzaddikim and yesharim.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.