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Beit Midrash
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Midrashim connect the motif of redness in regard to Eisav to other contexts in Tanach. One midrash (see Midrash Shocher Tov 52) connects Eisav, the spiller of blood, to Doeg the Edomite, who tried and almost succeeded in having David’s blood spilled.
If we look at Tanach, we will find that King David himself, the pleasant poet/singer of Israel and the architect of the Beit Hamikdash, was twice described in terms of redness. When Shmuel went to Yishai’s home to look for a future king to anoint and David was eventually presented to him, he is described as "admoni with pretty eyes and good to the sight" (Shmuel I, 16:12). The second time is when Goliat saw David and belittled him (as a warrior) for being young, admoni, and good looking (ibid. 17:42).
Despite this one striking similarity between Eisav and David, Chazal explain to us the great difference between them. When Shmuel saw that David was ruddy, he was afraid that he might be a spiller of blood like Eisav. Hashem pointed out to Shmuel that he had nice eyes, and then added that Eisav killed because he decided to kill, whereas David would kill when he was acting on the instructions of the Sanhedrin (Bereishit Rabba 63:8). The connection between David’s nice eyes and the instructions of Sanhedrin is based on the fact that they are called the "eyes of the congregation" (see Bamidbar 15:24).
Our mentor, Rav Shaul Yisraeli zt"l, who was one of the greatest experts on the halachot of a Jewish state, posited that decisions do not require Sanhedrin per se. Rather, whoever expresses the desire of the nation and received the nation’s authorization to run the affairs of state has the equivalent status. While an actual Sanhedrin is more ideal, representatives who are chosen by means of election are also valid, and their decisions are considered the "law of the land" (Amud Hayemini I:9:10).
Over the past year plus (in addition to many previous "rounds"), we have been fighting groups of blood-thirsty murderers, who are students of Eisav the Admoni, the grandfather of Amalek, with whom there is always a mitzva to fight until their destruction. The difference between Hamas fighters and the IDF is that the latter are the successors of David Hamelech, who was an admoni with pretty eyes, who act in the name of a law-abiding state and fight the wars of Hashem with clean and pure hands. They can be called holy, righteous, and brave in their lifetimes and if it is, Heaven forbid, so decreed, then in their deaths.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
