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Rachel Bat Asher
One of the prominent places we refer to Hashem as the Makom is in the prayer for Jews in despair or captivity. This in turn is probably connected to the gemara (Shabbat 12b), which states: "One who enters to visit the sick ... R. Yehuda says: ‘The Makom shall have mercy on you and on the sick of Israel.’" This Name may have its roots in our parasha.
During the episode of the dream, the word makom appears no fewer than five times. It refers to the very special location where Yaakov slept, dreamed, and became aware that he was in a holy place. The place’s sanctity was unlike holy places in future generations, as they needed to be consecrated by human processes to establish their status. Rather, Yaakov’s place was holy because it was the site of a special Divine Presence (shechina). Thus, makom and Hashem are connected.
Not only in such locations does the shechina dwell. The midrash tells us that Hashem came to visit Avraham as he recovered from circumcision. Similarly, the gemara points out that the shechina is present at the bedside of the ill, above the ill one’s head. The visitor is even supposed to choose his place and manner of sitting due to this realization. In fact, Hashem is even described as feeding the sick at that time.
How are we to cause the shechina to appear in our places? The answer may be found at the end of the story of the dream. Yaakov vowed that if he would return home in peace after his sojourn he would tithe all of the bounty he received (Bereishit 28: 20-22). This vow is the basis for the established practice of fine Jews to give 10% of their incomes to charity. We do not give the funds to Hashem and the money does not become holy but it is dispersed among Hashem’s creations. In that way, though, we are following in our Maker’s ways, Who tends to the poor and visits the sick.
One who acts in that G-dly manner can go up on the special ladders that Hashem has been erecting since creation. The midrash (Tanchuma, Vayishlach 10) says that Hashem uses those ladders to raise and lower people, to enrich the poor and impoverish the rich. That is what happened to Yaakov who was bereft of all possessions when he ran away to Aram and ended up becoming wealthy in the house of Lavan. One who follows Hashem’s path in these matters has Hashem with him. Then, just as the sick can pray to Hashem directly, the upstanding Jew does not need angels or ladders to be close to Him.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
