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Tzippora Bat David
If we take a look at the chain of events around the marriage of Yitzchak and Rivka, we will see that major family matters were taking place. The next event mentioned after the aforementioned pasuk was that Avraham married a woman named Ketura (traditionally understood to have been Hagar). In fact, Chazal tell us that as Eliezer was bringing Rivka, Yitzchak had gone to get Hagar for Avraham. What was the significance of the timing here? While it is possible that it was an emotional issue, that Yitzchak felt bad if he would get married while his father was widowed, there is likely a more spiritual element to the matter as well.
Sarah’s death had caused a void in the critical role of matriarch, necessary for the holy family to function as the promoters of Hashem’s Name in the world. Hagar could be a companion for Avraham, but she could not be a matriarch. Apparently, there was a makeshift partnership of sorts between Avraham and Yitzchak, whom he was training in his future role as the next patriarch. One might expect that Avraham would remain the sole patriarch until his death, but, examining the p’sukim, we will see that he disappears from the text, which transfers to the life of Yitzchak’s family while Avraham was still alive. When does this happen? Exactly when Yitzchak married Rivka. Interestingly, the same phenomenon exists when Yaakov marries, as Yitzchak disappears from the Torah as a result. In other words, the patriarch, who is certainly a righteous man in his own right, is the one who is married to the matriarch.
This perhaps gives further meaning to the pasuk that stresses the significance of marriage on the relationship between child and parents. "For a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife" (ibid. 2:24). Not only is there a physical and emotional change in the balance of relationships, but also the presence of the wife enables the son to reach an independence to begin assuming positions of prominence. At some point, sometimes marked by the death of one parent, a parent may look to his child not only as a near equal but even as the new leader.
When Yitzchak knew that his father had decided to arrange a wife for him, he prepared a non-matriarch wife for Avraham. When he married her and learned that indeed she was a not only a wife but a spiritual successor of his mother, he realized that it was time for him to take center stage. This allowed Avraham to subsequently marry Ketura, with the knowledge that he would have to send away the children that he would have after his "patriarchal retirement" (ibid. 25:6).
The Mitzvah of Settling the Land Land of Israel: G-d-Given Right or Legal Right?
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
