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Beit Midrash
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Rashi explains that Hashem came to inquire about his healing process. According to him, the Divine revelation was just a special form of bikkur cholim. Rashi’s grandson, the Rashbam, says that the Divine revelation was the arrival of the three angels. Ibn Ezra suggests that Avraham received a prophecy at that time, just that the Torah text does not reveal it. The Ramban discusses the approach of the Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim that the visit of three angels was a prophetic vision rather than an actual visit. The Ramban rejects that approach and suggests other angles.
The existence of so many explanations is a sign that there is real difficulty. With the readers’ indulgence, I will introduce an approach that goes hand-in-hand with the presentation of the events’ sequential order. Yitzchak’s birth stretches out over Lech Lecha and Vayeira. Different messages in this context are distinguished from each other, in that in some Hashem is described with His Name according to the attribute of mercy (Hashem) and in others with the Name connected to the attribute of judgment (Elokim). Let us now take a look and analyze each revelation on these grounds.
A. Bereishit 17:1-2 – Hashem appeared to Avraham with the attribute of mercy, when he was 99 years old. The purpose was to present Avraham with a covenant promising him many offspring and charging Avraham to be tamim (unblemished).
B. Ibid. 17:9-14 – This was at the same time period and was done with the attribute of judgment. Again there was a covenant about plentiful offspring, and this time there was a command to fulfill the mitzva of brit mila. At the end, Hashem also revealed that Sarah was to give birth to a son for Avraham, whose name would be Yitzchak.
C. Ibid. 18:10-15 – This revelation uses the Name of mercy, and He repeated that Sarah would bear Avraham a son.
D. Ibid. 18:16 – 19:29 – The revelation with the attribute of mercy was about the destruction of S’dom.
We can now explain based on the concept that Hashem can "speak" in such a complex manner that multiple things are said at one time, but people are unable to absorb it in that manner (see Tehillim 62:12). The general framework is one of mercy, although the covenant is said in a manner that includes both attributes. Mercy is more directly involved in the command to be unblemished. Judgment is connected to the command of doing brit mila, which involves blood, pain, and crying. We posit, then, that the same revelation has different aspects that are recorded in neighboring sections. Therefore, there is no question of what was revealed, as it appears elsewhere.
We finish with another chiddush. The prophecy about the destruction of S’dom was given with the attribute of mercy. Indeed, it was mercy for all the good people whom S’dom abused (see Bereishit 18:20). Similarly, the modern "inheritors" of the Sodomites, the Gazans, acted with such cruelty that their destruction can only be seen as mercy. It is forbidden to be forgiving to the cruel!
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.