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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- 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 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.