YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Behar
Let us now take a look at the song’s verses. The first verse starts: "Preserve (shamor) and remember (zachor) with one speaking did the unique (meyuchad) G-d have us hear." The "outer" meaning is focused only on Shabbat, as zachor and shamor were said in reference to Shabbat at the giving of the Torah (in Yitro and Vaetchanan, respectively). However, the word meyuchad is a classic word in the jargon of the Kabbalists (including Rav Elkabetz), which makes us believe that they are really hinting at the nimshal, which is the coming of Mashiach.
The second verse, again explicitly speaking about Shabbat, concludes "the end of the action was planned from the beginning." The idea, taken from the Zohar, comes from the context of the liberation being in place from before the world was created.
Let us go now to the third verse (bayit, in Hebrew), which has a double meaning, as this time it refers explicitly to the Third Bayit (Holy Temple of the time of Mashiach) and the "city of the kingdom." The kingdom is both of the kings of Yehuda and Yisrael but also that of Hashem. The verse continues that "you have been too long in the valley of crying." This is a reference to the recent historical hardship of the expulsion from the Iberian Peninsula. The kabbalists of Safed saw this catastrophe as the heel and the pains of the coming of Mashiach.
The fourth verse talks about King Mashiach, who will raise up the people from the dirt. However, this is also done in the form of a hint, as he is referred to as "the son of Yishai (Jesse) from Beit Lechem." This is the place that the prophet Shmuel was sent to switch the anointed one from the children of Rachel (Shaul) to the son of a Judean family.
The fifth verse calls on the nation to awaken because our light has come, and we are to shine and sing. In other words, the poet is urging the people to realize that the time has come for practical human actions to hasten the liberation. People in Safed indeed started to try by renewing authentic rabbinical ordination and then trying to assemble a Sanhedrin, which is the ultimate form of the judicial system, whose existence and excellence is a condition for a full liberation. The coming of light, which is mentioned, hints at return of the special light of the days of Creation, which will occur at the End of Days (see Yeshayahu 30:26).
We will continue next week with practical conclusions. In the meantime, let us remind all that showing respect to others hastens the unity not only within the nation but between the Jewish People and Hashem.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts