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Beit Midrash
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- The Three Weeks
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Chumash. It is Moshe’s final sermon to his
nation, just weeks before he will die on his
120th birthday. This Sedra is always read on the
Shabbat before Tisha B’Av (or on 9 Av itself). Why?
I suggest that the Torah - & Moshe Rabbeinu - are
again emphasizing that there are always second
chances in life, always opportunities to start
over again. A new Sefer, a new chapter, a renewed commitment to Jewish ideals.
When we fast, we manifest this idea
physiologically. We clean out our system by
letting our body go fallow for the day; no food
or drink allowed in. When the Fast ends, we start
over, our bodies now having been purged & purified.
The fasts of Tisha B’Av & Yom Kippur are
strategically linked to one another: They are
held relatively close to each other with only the
month of Elul dividing them; & they are the only
25-hour fasts in our calendar. They also share
the same goal & purpose; but they arrive at their
destination in two very different kinds of vehicles.
Tisha B’Av represents approaching Hashem via
Yirah; fear, awe & trepidation. As we confront &
contemplate the calamities that have befallen us
through our history, from Churban to Inquisition
to Shoa (to October 7!), we come to the
realization that without G-d’s protective shield,
we are subject to any & all misfortune at the
hands of evil nations. And so we seek shelter in His Divine presence.
Yom Kippur also is an opportunity to draw closer
to the Almighty. But its approach is one
of Ahava; wanting to shed the sins which scar
our souls, seeking G-d where He may be found.
Appreciating all He gives us, we immerse
ourselves in prayer & petition all day long,
wearing white to symbolize the pure neshama we seek.
Tisha B’Av comes before Elul. Yom Ha-Din
approaches, & we are scared, for our fate & our
very lives hang in the balance. Fear is the most
basic, primal motivator of Man & is a necessary
first step. But then comes Elul & Yom Kippur.
We’re ready now to go forward & elevate ourselves
in spiritual growth. Fear gives way to love;
Black turns into White, & Hashem is ready to receive us.
Redemption - please G-d - let it come "Fast."
****************************************************************
I want to dedicate this Dvar Torah to Donny Kates
z"l, whose 3rd Yahrtzeit is Tisha B’Av. The Man,
the Mentsch, the Madrich par excellence, Donny
taught us to love Eretz Yisrael & Medinat
Yisrael, and in the process, we learned to love
him. Donny, we miss you - may you enjoy your eternal reward in Olam Haba.
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.
