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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
The gemara (Rosh Hashana 16a) states: "Blow the shofar before Me so that I will remember the binding of Yitzchak, the son of Avraham, and I will consider it for you as if you bound yourselves."
Why does Hashem, who does not forget things, need a reminder? Also, couldn’t we mention the bindings (i.e., those who have been killed for being Jews) from those times until and including these days, in which case we could tell of those who were not only willing to give their lives (like Yitzchak), but actually did give their lives? Jewish blood is treated as worthless – no one cares what happens to us. The entire nation lies "bound to the altar." In fact, we are not just being bound but being killed in practice. Hashem swore in His own Name "if it is not with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and a flowing rage that I will rule over you" (Yechezkel 20:33).
However, it is not Hashem’s will [to act so harshly], rather just that we should be prepared to "bind ourselves." That is Hashem’s intention. He wants that our love of Hashem that is burning within us should be such that we disregard and belittle the world’s apparatuses to take Jewish lives.
On this day of Rosh Hashana, we should blow the shofar, to remind us about the binding of Yitzchak. This was a binding that came willfully, where the participants gave up their own being, on behalf of the effort to sanctify Hashem’s Name. It is that we need to remember. From Hashem’s perspective, he suffices with considering it as if we "bound ourselves." In other words, all the many victims should be considered as if the victims gave their lives of their own will. If so, the merit would definitely increase, the power of the Satan would automatically wane, and the kingdom of evil would pass like smoke from the land.
We should view ourselves as being found in the same hell that our brothers in the field of battle are, in the camps of detention, captivity, and suffering, as well as in the hospitals (ed. note – the world did not yet know about extermination camps). Let us join in, out of will, in the same feeling of anguish and excruciating pain, which is abnormal for human beings, as our brethren who are sanctifying Hashem’s Name. Let us consider the horrible feeling of the skies closing their gateways, as the pasuk says: "You covered Yourself with a cloud so that the prayers will not reach You" (Eicha 3:44). Let us force open the heavens with the strength of dedication and willingness to give.
We are indeed representatives. We are representatives of the community of the Nation of Israel, including those who are homeless, those who are forced to hear the blasts of war, whether those who are fighting in battles or those who are rotting away in jails. We must bring this great pain and sighing into the sound of the shofar blasts.
Chazal teach us: "A year that is poor in its beginning brings riches in its end" (Rosh Hashana 16b, based on the spelling of Devarim 11:12). May this year see the end of our troubles and the beginning of our liberation!
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.
