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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tavo
Yerushalayim is mentioned many hundreds of times in Tanach but never by name in the Torah. P’sukim from Parashat Ki Tavo demonstrate the Torah’s code words for what would prove to be Yerushalayim, and why those words were chosen. The term "the place that Hashem will choose" is stressed in Devarim 12. It does not explain, though, what the place is and what is special about it. As our teacher, Nechama (Leibowitz), taught us, we will find the instructive word(s) that hold the key.
The letters sin/shin mem are found eleven times in the most central section of the description of a place for Hashem’s Presence to dwell and the place to worship Him (Devarim 12:5-14), with different forms and meanings – sham, shama (there); shmo (His Name), lasum (to place). The word makom (place) appears three times. We find these words/roots in Devarim 16, regarding the Pascal lamb, as well as in our parasha (Devarim 26:1-2). These words’ appearance regarding Yaakov’s dream in Sefer Bereishit likely tipped off Chazal and many commentaries to identify the location as Yerushalayim.
Makom can refer to a geographical place, but Chazal also saw it as a reference to Hashem. In the context of Yaakov’s dream, a midrash explains it as Yaakov praying to Hashem (Bereishit Rabba 68:9). It explains that He is called a makom (place) because He is the makom of the world, and the world is not His makom (does not delineate Him). This powerful word, then, teaches that one needs to find the physical place behind the spiritual phenomenon, especially the "meeting" with Hashem.
The words sham, shama, shem, and shmo are also profound. One can argue that the word shamayim (heaven) is the plural of the word sham (there). It can mean that from a geographical perspective, it is "there," i.e., not on the land, and in the spiritual context, it is a reference to Hashem, for when we want to "meet" with Him, we turn to the heavens. The place of the Mikdash in Yerushalayim is the makom where the physical land meets the spiritual shamayim. Therefore, when David found out the special quality of this location, he understood that this is the place to build the Beit Hamikdash. That is why in the section of Tanach in which we see how the location is chosen, it says: "David raised his eyes and saw the angel of Hashem standing between the land and the sky " (Divrei Hayamim I, 21:16).
The task of the Beit Hamikdash is to connect, especially between Hashem and Am Yisrael. Yerushalayim functions on two levels, Yerushalayim of above and Yerushalayim of below (see Tehillim 122:3). It also connects the whole Nation of Israel, at every time and in every place. Let us join in "building the Mikdash" by uniting Am Yisrael. Let us stress that which connects us, and handle our disagreements with mutual respect and unbounded love.
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.
