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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
Various answers that are given show the limitations of the power of the likes of Yosef among the nations of the world. The Ramban says that Yosef could not support the family while they remained in a foreign land. He was afraid that people would suspect he was smuggling resources out to pad his own "Swiss bank accounts" with Egyptian money so that he could leave the country and keep its money. While his family was in Egypt, everyone would see that he was only supporting them.
Although Egypt’s people and leadership realized that Yosef deserved whatever he needed for his extended family and, on one level, gave him full trust, they never were willing to fully trust the Hebrew. Yosef, for his part, wanted to remain not only with clean hands but with visibly clean hands. Yosef spoke from experience. How long did it take for him to go from the biggest asset in Potiphar’s estate to a prisoner falsely convicted without trial of attempted rape? (This is not a bad lesson for fine Jews throughout the world, who could suddenly find themselves under public scrutiny.)
The Netziv explains that Yosef stressed his special standing enabled him to not only secure a place in Egypt, but a secluded place, the Land of Goshen. This fulfilled Yaakov’s desire that his falmily should be badad (alone among the nations), as witnessed by the pasuk in Devarim 33:28). That same pasuk also talks about betach (secure), which The Netziv elsewhere (see Bereishit 31:46) explains to mean at peace with the nations around him. It appears that the urgency of Yosef’s urging was along the following lines. The family would eventually spend a difficult period in exile, as Hashem had decreed in Brit Bein Habetarim (Beresihit 15:13). Better to start it when Yosef could arrange the most survivable experience possible. Thus, Yosef’s present ability to set up a semi-autonomous enclave warranted bringing down the family immediately.
As history would prove, Bnei Yisrael would be enslaved under the pretext of suspected treason. This scenario would repeat itself in different countries (e.g., Spain, Germany) in different times, under different pretexts, with different degrees of tragedy. Let us hope that the need for exile is over and that all should seize the opportunity to return home, where we hope to have no reason to "look over our shoulders."
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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.
