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Beit Midrash
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The fire that was lit on the top of the menora (candelabrum) was a testament to the Divine Presence. However, the revelation occurred between the two keruvim (cherubim) on the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies, where normally no man may go.
Keruv and rochev (ride) share letters, and both hint at the Chariot upon which Hashem figuratively/spiritually "rides." The Rider of the Chariot is One Who can never be seen. In fact, only the very choicest of the spiritual can see even a vision of the Chariot, and it is strictly forbidden for one who is not on the appropriate, lofty spiritual level to delve into the topic (Chagiga 2:1). In honor of Purim Katan, with the idea of the hidden (hester) on our mind, we will carefully take a small peek.
A chariot that is not tied to a horse is not a functional chariot. In the Purim story, the turning point comes when Achashverosh commanded Haman to lead Mordechai around on the king’s horse. Riding on a royal horse or chariot was always a way of showing the greatest esteem. This was behind Paroh’s honoring Yosef with a special chariot (Bereishit 41:43) and Hashem’s sending a Heavenly chariot and horses of fire to bring Eliyahu up to the Heavens (Melachim II, 2:11).
A flesh and blood Jewish king is commanded to not have too many horses for his chariots, whereas Hashem has special chariots and horses of fire as we will see from another section of Melachim II. The King of Aram tried to seize the prophet Elisha, sending a delegation of troops with cavalry and chariots to capture him in Dotan. Elisha’s assistant panicked, and Elisha prayed to Hashem to show the assistant a vision of the Chariot. When the assistant opened his eyes, he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire to help Elisha (Melachim II, 6:16-17).
In Tanach we find mention of a vision of the Chariot in which angels of fire appear. One was Yeshayahu’s first prophecy (Yeshayahu 6:1-2). Yechezkel also saw the "Holy Beasts" (Yechezkel 1:5) and another time, he saw keruvim (ibid. 10:5). Other prophets saw chariots and horses (Zecharia 6:2).
The midrash tells us that mention of the king in Megillat Esther can refer simultaneously to the human king and hint at the King of the World (Esther Rabba 3:10). We can suggest that the horse Mordechai rode had elements of being "Hashem’s horse." Then, Mordechai experienced something similar to what Eliyahu experienced – to ride a spiritual chariot, go the inner sanctums, and see a vision of keruvim.
On Purim, people dress in disguise; even Hashem and His horses do so. Esther, as well, had to go to an inner sanctum in an officially forbidden manner. To the extent we will follow her instructions to "go and gather all of the Jews" (Esther 4:16) we will debunk the accusation of being a "scattered nation" (ibid. 3:8). When we act as a united nation, with brotherly love, it is our enemies, not we, who must worry.
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.
