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Beit Midrash
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Last time we highlighted two p’sukim that demonstrate the centrality of hearing even above seeing. One is Hashem’s assertion that at Sinai we "heard the sound of words" instead of seeing pictures (Devarim 4:12). The other is from Tehillim (40:7-8): "You formed ears for me … then I said, I come with a book written about me."
We continue along these lines with ideas from Rav David Cohen (the Nazir). He cites the Spanish philosophers who were influenced by Plato, who preferred the sense of seeing (aesthetics) over the sense of hearing. In contrast, the Jewish scholars of the Mussar Movement preferred hearing to seeing, "because the heard word is more clear and clean." The Nazir cites also Rabbeinu Yona of Gerona (several Rishonim lived in this Spanish city) in Shaarei Teshuva, who says that "the eye is very important, but the ear is more important. " Rabbeinu Bachyei (Kad Hakemach 7) writes similarly and connects it to the halacha that one who makes someone deaf must compensate the person’s full worth (Bava Kama 85a). See similar opinions in the Yaavetz (Avot 6:2) and the introduction of Orchot Tzaddikim.
The Nazir explains that what makes these senses special is that they help one acquire intellectual matters, which make a person complete. This is in line with the pasuk in Mishlei (20:12): "The ear hears and the eye sees, Hashem did both of these," mentioning the ear first. A similar phenomenon is found in Mishlei 15:31, and in Shir Hashirim 2:14, it says "…for your voice is sweet," and only afterward, "your appearance is pleasant."
We started our discussion with hearing the voice of the one G-d, and we finish our discussion with the sweet voice of Am Yisrael. We will continue with those themes next week.
As we have mentioned in the past, both from a biological and a linguistic perspective, the ear has a connection with balance. When extreme people do not listen to each other properly, dangerous situations develop. There is a need to find a balance between belief in Hashem and belief in the special qualities of the whole Jewish nation, as the Rabbis teach us: "All of Israel has a portion in the World to Come."
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.
