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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Miketz
Before we explain the bolded part of the beracha, we point out that Megillat Rut explains why Yaakov’s beracha to Yehuda of a dynasty from Peretz’s offspring, was delayed until the time of David. For the centuries until that time, most of the leaders came from Rachel and her children (her sons were Yosef (=Ephrayim and Menashe) and Binyamin; and Dan and Nafatli came from her maidservant). Yehoshua came from Ephrayim, Gidon from Binyamin. Yiftach from Menashe, Shimshon from Dan, and King Shaul from Binyamin. Megillat Rut confirms that the promise would soon be actualized.
The people of Beit Lechem stressed two things: A. Unity between the Sons of Rachel and the Sons of Leah is a condition for Bnei Yisrael’s success. B. We will not give up on the promise of a king from Peretz.
When David, a descendent of Leah, was first anointed by Shmuel to succeed Shaul, a descendant of Rachel, he understood that success depended on partnership between the families. For this reason, David made a pact with Shaul’s son Yonatan, by which the latter would be his second in command (Shmuel I, 23:17-18). Unfortunately, this arrangement never came to be because Yonatan was killed (we need another discussion for why Yonatan’s children did not take his place in that regard).
An example of a successful partnership is the pair of King Uziya, from Yehuda, and King Yerovam II from Menashe. Chazal described the relationship as "Uziya and Yerovam were kings as one" (Seder Olam Rabba 19). The navi tells of their great success – each was very successful in conquest and in protecting his kingdom from attack (Melachim II, 14:25; Divrei Hayamim II, 26:6-15).
Yechezkel prophesies about the unity between the sections of Bnei Yisrael, describing how the "tree of Yosef" and the "tree of Yehuda" will become one in the hands of the prophet. This, says the navi, represents that, in the future, they will again fully be one nation with one king for them (Yechezkel 37:19-22).
Why, then, was Shlomo not successful in keeping Bnei Yisrael under one kingdom, as soon after his death, Yerovam started a new kingdom rivaling that of Shlomo’s son Yerovam? The answer may be hinted at in our parasha. When Yosef impressed Paroh, prompting Paroh to appoint him as viceroy, Paroh said of Yosef: "There is none as clever and wise as you" (Bereishit 41:39). The same exact words are used to describe wisdom that Hashem promised Shlomo, except that for Shlomo he is described as the wisest who ever lived (Melachim I, 3:12). Therefore, Shlomo apparently thought that he did not need the help of a partnership with the descendants of Rachel, in this case, Yerovam. (Admittedly, the midrash blames Yerovam for refusing to be a second to Shlomo.)
The necessary lesson is to strive for unity and through it be successful. May we merit to see the building of the House of Israel as Rachel and Leah did.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
