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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- IDF Memorial Day
practices done by other nations, if performed for
a certain benefit, such as to show honor, are
permitted to Jews. To protect Jewish specialness,
Chazal forbade adopting non-Jewish customs in two
categories: 1) If the act is linked to idolatry
or another form of worship (e.g. holding our
hands together or kneeling as is done in church);
or 2) If the act has no apparent reason
whatsoever, as its origin may then stem from an
idolatrous or pagan practice. But where the act
is not religious in nature, & has a definite
purpose, it is allowed. Thus wearing a suit &
tie, marching in a parade, sending a get-well
note to an ill person or standing in respect at a
memorial siren is perfectly permissible – even
laudable. The failure to show honor to the fallen
not only demonstrates a lack of Hakarat HaTov, it
is poraysh mim ha-tzibur, separating the wider
community & promoting disunity & acrimony between
Jews, which in & of itself creates a Chillul Hashem.
Peninei Halakha 12. Yom Ha-zikaron: A Day of Remembrance for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
