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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
If we removed 5% of extremists from each side, the remaining 95% could reach agreements through mutual respect, on 98% of the burning questions, and agree to disagree on the other 2%. I call out from the heart in a clear yet trembling voice – Enough, before it is too late. Change the mode of discourse to positive and polite. If the flames will grow, our enemies will dance around the campfires.
Tribal unity is connected to our parshiyot through a frequently mentioned place – Gilad. Gilad is east of the Jordan, and it is the first region whose inhabitants were exiled. Eliyahu Hagiladi, who came from there, was described as a kana’i (zealot) – see Melachim I, 19:10-14. Some opinions in Chazal posit he was Pinchas, who was known for his zealotry (see Bamidbar 25:11-13).
Our parasha also discusses the six cities of refuge for unintentional murderers, half of which were east of the Jordan. The prophet Hoshea (6:8-9) criticizes the people of Gilad for their being violent, and the gemara tells us that there were more than expected arei miklat east of the Jordan because Gilad had a lot of murderers in it (Makkot 9b).
Yet, Gilad was a wonderful meeting place for people from different tribes, stemming from Leah, Rachel, and the maidservants. Our parasha tells that the half-tribe of Menashe (from Yosef/Rachel) received the land. But in Shoftim (12:4), we find groups from Ephrayim, Menashe’s brother, whom Yaakov preferred (Bereishit 48:14-20). Moshe also chose his confidante/ successor from the Tribe of Ephrayim. The Tribe of Yehuda had strong ties there. Chetzron, Peretz’s firstborn, and the antecedent of King David, married the daughter of Machir (son of Menashe), sister of Gilad, and their children settled in Gilad and built important cities there (see Divrei Hayamim I, 2:21-22). Machir also had in-laws from Binyamin (ibid. I, 7:15). Thus, this area united important tribes and personalities, which impacted the whole nation’s unity.
Yerushalayim was the one place in Eretz Yisrael that was not divided up among the tribes, remaining the property of the whole nation (see Tehillim 122:3; Midrash Aggada 49:27). This makes Yerushalayim a symbol of unity.
Let us return to our times. Everyone should respect the elected government seated in Yerushalayim. The government must internalize that they are bound to respect all parts of the nation. Any change that is attempted, even if for good reasons, must be done through discussion and some level of consensus, as most citizens want. Only by acting this way will we merit that Eliyahu Hanavi will change from a zealot to a consensus maker, and usher in the Days of Mashiach (see Malachi 3:23-24).
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
