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The next pasuk is a command not to go at all times into the Holy of Holies, the place where the Divine Presence rests on the ark, as doing so can cause death. In other words, it is dangerous to go into the Holy of Holies, and therefore not worthwhile to go in there, except on Yom Kippur, when the kohen gadol is obligated to go in.
The end of this pasuk provides an additional apparent contradiction: "… for in the cloud I will be seen over the cover of the ark." If there is "cloud-cover," then Hashem will indeed not be seen! Here too, there are different approaches as to how to reconcile the matter, and a key part of the matter relates to the meaning of "in the cloud." Some understand that it refers to "the clouds of glory," which were visible at different times to the nation in the desert as a whole. Another possibility is that it refers to the mist emanating from the special incense that the kohen gadol offered when he went alone into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. We can also suggest that Hashem does reveal Himself to those who fear Him, but that it is dangerous to try to see the Divine Presence.
Let us go back to Parashat Shemini and Moshe’s explanation of his nephews’ deaths: "Through those who are close to Me I shall be sanctified, and on the face of the whole nation I will be glorified." Both things are true. Hashem is holier than all that is holy and more distant than all that is distant, and it is very dangerous for even those who are close to draw near. On the other hand, Hashem is also close to those who call out to Him and is found in all places.
This paradox is at the heart of the section of prayer we call Kedusha, based on the pasuk from Yeshayahu (6:3): "Holy, holy, holy is Hashem the Lord of Hosts; the whole world is full of His glory." It is true both that "Man shall not see Me and live" (Shemot 33:20) and that "From my flesh I will gaze at the Lord" (Iyov 19:26). It is dangerous to enter the Holy of Holies, but Aharon is required to do so in pursuit of atonement for the nation on Yom Kippur.
Sometimes the divine speech is done with thunderous silence, as Hashem is the source of the sound of delicate silence (Melachim I, 19:11-12). Other times the Divine sounds are so powerful that they can be "seen" (see Shemot 20:15).
These are not really contradictions. The spiritual world is complex and deep. Only one-dimensional superficiality sees it as full of contradiction.
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.
