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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
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mystical Urim & Tumim ("lights" & "truth") that
were part of the Choshen, the breastplate that
adorned the Kohen. The Urim & Tumim were a
conduit to knowing G-d’s will, lighting up the
letters of the Choshen’s precious gems in order
to answer pressing questions posed through the
Kohen Gadol, such as whether or not to go to war, etc.
Many of us are familiar with the famous story
told by the Vilna Gaon. When Chana came to the
Mishkan praying for a child – apparently a rather
unusual occurrence – Eli the Kohen Gadol
consulted the Urim & Tumim to see if her request
would be granted. The letters Hay, Kaf, Raysh &
Shin lit up, & Eli unscrambled them to form the
word, "Shikra," or drunkard, & so he dismissed Chana.
But when Chana did eventually give birth, Eli
(whose Ruach HaKodesh was apparently flawed)
understood that the letters actually formed the
word, "K’Sheyra," fit to have a child (or better,
I suggest, "K’Sarah," like Sara, who also gave birth at a very advanced age).
The child born to Chana was Shmuel. He would go
on to become the greatest Navi besides Moshe
Rabbeinu. But when Hashem sent Shmuel to anoint a
successor to King Shaul from Yishai’s family,
Shmuel first chose Eliav. Said G-d: "Do not look
at someone’s outer appearance, do not look only
with your eyes; I see into one’s heart." And so
David, Yishai’s youngest son, was chosen as King.
There is a powerful lesson here. All of us,
because we’re human, tend to focus on the
superficial, the outward appearances we see:
one’s age, height, weight, color or style of hair
or the clothes one wears. We may see, but we
comprehend very little about the person in front
of us. The true essence of a person is invisible;
we can’t know their honesty, integrity,
intelligence, courage, charm, insightfulness or
kindness until we actually get to know them
better. And, sadly, we very often misjudge them.
So many of the young people who have gone to war
may have seemed like run-of-the-mill, simple
kids. But the war has revealed just what brave,
selfless, astute super-heroes they actually are.
In effect, Gaza has been a kind of "Urum v’Tumim"
that confirm our younger generation in uniform as
Tzadikim G’murim, the truly righteous who, like
Rabbi Akiva, are prepared to give their all for us.
David had a favorite son, Shlomo, considered the
wisest of all people. But Hashem did not bless
Shlomo only with wisdom; G-d gave him a "lev
chacham v’navon, a wise & understanding heart."
If we learn to see with our heart, as well as
with our eyes, the truth will light up for us as well.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.