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Beit Midrash
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HaMikdash was the Aron Kodesh that held the
Luchot. Its ornate cover had on it 2 Keruvim (tho
that technically violated the issur of a graven
image). The Keruvim figure was also engraved on
the curtains, the parokhet & the walls & doors of
the Heikhal. We have no clear idea of their exact
appearance: one opinion is that they had the
faces of children, or (as Yechezkel reported) 1
child & 1 man, mimicking a father & son. Some say
they were a boy & girl, representing pure love
(both between both male & female and Man & G-d).
Ibn Ezra said they resembled oxen. The Torah
explicitly says that they had wings, & some
(Rashbam) said they were images of birds, or
half-bird & half man with lions’ feet. The voice
of Hashem emanated from between the wings of the
Keruvim. Still others connect the Keruvim to the
reference in Bereisheit: baby-faced angels who
brandished weapons & guarded the entrance to Gan
Eden (i.e. Israel) – what a perfect description of our holy Chayalim!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
