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Beit Midrash
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- 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
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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.
