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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayeshev
The preparations for the second episode in Beit El took place after the story of Yaakov and his sons in Shechem. Yaakov commanded the people of his encampment to remove the idols they had picked up in the area before they could go to Beit El (Bereishit 35:2). Connecting this removal of idol worship to dealing with brit mila in Shechem, we see a conversion process. This provides a source within the text, for the midrash that Yaakov was heavily involved in the realm of conversions.
In fact the pasuk refers to the audience of Yaakov’s address as "the people who were with him." These were apparently people from around Shechem who joined Yaakov’s faith community. This required a full conversion process, which includes accepting Hashem’ dominion and adherence to His mitzvot. The p’sukim hint how this was done. Yaakov took the idols he collected and buried them under a tree near Shechem (ibid. 4). Hundreds of years later, Yehoshua exhorted the people to get rid of idols under the tree in the Temple of Hashem and prepare themselves to serve Hashem (Yehoshua 24:23-26). They accepted the challenge, saying: "We will serve Hashem and listen to His voice." This language echoes that which was used at Sinai, when the whole nation accepted the mitzvot in a "national conversion."
The episode in Yehoshua occurred when Bnei Yisrael had just entered the Land, and because of that region’s historical affiliation with Jewish beliefs, there were no battles in the area of Shechem. This enabled Yehoshua to immediately after crossing the Jordan, erect an altar on Mt. Eival to renew the covenant, as Moshe was commanded (Devarim 27:1-26).
Therefore, we can say that Yaakov and family started national life for the future great nation. Not only did he lead his sons, but also those who decided to join him. It was as a leader on that basis that he returned to Beit El.
His test was in Shechem. At first, he bought a plot of land (Bereishit 33:19), as Avraham had. This let it be known that he respected individuals’ ownership in the Land that nationally had been promised to him and his offspring, as long as the locals recognized that the Land was reserved for Yaakov, as a Israelite and democratic entity in which they could stay and prosper. Yaakov began with negotiations with the people of Shechem. The prince by the name of Shechem rejected this, which he showed by forcefully taking Yaakov’s daughter, thereby showing "his dominance." Those who joined with Yaakov showed that they accepted the preeminence of Yaakov’s nation in the making.
In step with this emergence, Hashem changed Yaakov’s name to Yisrael, with the promise that a nation with kings will come from him (see Bereishit 35:10-12). The pursued Yaakov turned into the victorious Yisrael. Judaism is not based on a path in life for individuals but for the special nation that serves as a light for the nations.
The State of Israel is tasked with continuing this legacy, including as a united nation destroying its cruel enemies. While, like Yaakov, we extend our hand in peace, when it is not accepted, we know how to fight when we are forced to do so.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.