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Beit Midrash
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- The Three Weeks
- Shabbat Chazon
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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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.
