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These kinds of sentences, circulated by very specific people, assume that there is a separation between the citizens and the state. The mindset is that the State of Israel is a kind of "service provider" and the citizen is the customer. Once this is the way of thinking, it is also clear what "I deserve", and woe betide those who will not give it to me.
This week's Torah portion Teruma, deals with the contributions that the Israelites brought for the building of the Tabernacle. The word teruma in Hebrew is derived from lehitromem, to ascend; to succeed in transcending personal egoism and connecting to something bigger. Every detail of the Tabernacle eventually connected to the entire structure. The ability to contribute to the whole comes about due to the individual seeing themself as a partner with the whole and not as a bystander.
There definitely is room for harsh criticism of specific people in the country, but the contributor’s position is that of a partner, not a customer. Just as couples can criticize each other, and just as there is friction between parents and children – and at the same time, the healthy situation is that they see themselves as one unit, and in any case the criticism will be practical, less virulent and without threats.
Those who are in such a mental position also know how to appreciate the contribution of others. As a citizen evacuated from the city of Sderot and staying in a hotel for the past months, I remind myself from time to time that in other countries where civilians are forced to evacuate due to war or natural disaster – refugees are not always settled in hotels, nor receive benefits from the government (!) and get a never-ending embrace from all sectors of the population. The people of Israel love to gripe but also know how to contribute wholeheartedly.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Shiur in Hebrew on Parashat Teruma-->https://youtu.be/F_bevkYjpis
Army and War "If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"
IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
