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Rashi cites two benefits of the darkness. One is that it allowed Bnei Yisrael to bury the wicked among them whom Hashem killed during this time. The other was that it enabled them to search through the Egyptian’s homes to see what they could later ask of them to take on their way out of Egypt. The Gur Aryeh explains that the two periods with different levels of darkness served different purposes. During the first days, the Egyptians were unable to see what was happening to the wicked in Israel. However, they could move and could protect their homes from Jewish trespassing. During the next three days of paralysis, Bnei Yisrael were free to even enter their homes. The two purposes also allow for different explanations of moshvotam. Regarding burying their dead, it was sufficient for Bnei Yisrael to function freely in Jewish quarters. Regarding entering Egyptian homes, they had to be able to have light in the same places that the Egyptians experienced darkness.
Who were these wicked people whom Hashem killed? How much more wicked could they have been than other Jews, in light of Chazal ¬statement that the nation as a whole was on the spiritual level of -49 out of a possible -50? Taking a closer look at Rashi, we notice that he doesn’t just say that they were wicked, but that they did not want to leave Egypt. Ohr Yechezkel (p. 228) explains that it was necessary to have a desire to be liberated and become something more than they were in order to merit redemption. Most Jews had that desire, despite individual spiritual shortcomings. Chazal tell us that Bnei Yisrael were redeemed in the merit of not changing their names, language, and clothes. In other words, from a national perspective, they felt a proud part of their oppressed nation ,
How harmful must they have been to prompt the Netziv to say that the "light for all of Bnei Yisrael" relates to the demise of the wicked Jews? Also, if a significant number of Jews died during this period, how can the Torah say there was light for all of Bnei Yisrael? Shemot Rabba (14:3) tells us that the wicked people were actually collaborators with the Egyptians who had become rich through their connections and actions. They, who had separated themselves from the nation, were not part of all of Bnei Yisrael, and Bnei Yisrael enjoyed light when they died.
This lesson reinforces that which Rav Kook taught us through his writings and his life. Even one who keeps very little religiously maintains a connection to Bnei Yisrael’s legacy if he sees himself as a part of the nation that awaits national redemption.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
