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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Behar
counting of the Omer – the semi-mourning customs
observed between Pesach & Shavuot are suspended
(in many customs, are concluded) since the plague
which killed the students of Rabbi Akiva broke on
that day (or they died during this time of the
year for 33 days, which are now concluded). Also
on this day, the Kabbalist Rav Shimon bar Yochai
("Rashbi") of Meron died, & he urged us to
rejoice on his Yahrtzeit ("Hillula"). Customs
include using bows & arrows, alluding to the
keshet (rainbow) which, by tradition, did not
appear in bar Yochai's era, as his merit alone
was enough to protect us; & cutting the hair of
children who have reached the age of 3 (a custom
known as the "Upsharen"). Many weddings are also
held on this day. The lighting of bonfires
symbolize bar Yochai's mystical insights in the
Kabbalistic work the Zohar, which illuminated the
world; if done at all, these fires must be
carefully supervised & adult-controlled.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
