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Since we are human beings in a physical world, we cannot relate to G-d’s will without it being broken down into segments that we can deal with individually. Imagine a globe of the world encased in a larger globe. In the outer globe, 613 small windows are cut, each window exposing a small portion of the surface of the enclosed globe. A composite picture from all the windows would yield a view of the globe within it. So, too, the individual mitzvos are merely partial manifestations of G-d’s one, all-inclusive will. Each mitzvah is a window through which we glimpse a portion of that will.
Thus there is more to leading a Torah life than merely observing 613 rules. The ultimate goal is to understand the implications of each mitzvah in the context of the overall Divine will that must shape our personality, outlook, and actions. In addition to shemiyah lekol Hashem — listening to G-d’s voice and obeying His commands — one must also have shemiyah bekol Hashem — listening into G-d’s voice, an understanding of the implications and meaning of those mitzvos in their broader context. Observance of the Torah rule by rule, without sensitivity to the aspects of Divine will revealed in each mitzvah, is inadequate.
That was the deficiency of the generation of the Churban (destruction). They kept the mitzvos and learned Torah, but did so perfunctorily. "...With their mouths and lips do they honor Me, but their hearts are far from Me, and their fear of Me is as a commandment of men learned by rote" (Yeshayahu 29:13).
Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz was once invited to be the guest of a certain individual for the Friday night seudah. Arriving home with his host, it was immediately obvious that the hostess had fallen asleep from an exhausting erev Shabbos and had failed to awaken on time to put the finishing touches to the table. Her embarrassed husband berated her for her failure to cover the challos. Reb Shraga Feivel thought to himself how absurd it was for the man to humiliate his wife for not having covered the challos — a custom designed to keep the challos from being "embarrassed" during Kiddush and to teach us how sensitive we must be to another ‘s honor (we normally recite a beracha on bread before wine, but when there is kiddush we first make kiddush which includes the berachah on the wine). The host, in his concern for the custom, had completely ignored its implications.
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.
