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Beit Midrash
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Refael ben Chana
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.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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.
