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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
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Midrash Sechel Tov (ad loc.) says that Yehuda was sent because he was the leader among the brothers. The Midrash Hagadol (ad loc.) posits that it is a good sign for the family/nation when Yehuda and Yosef interact closely (based on Zecharia 10:6 & Yechezkel 37:16, regarding the final redemption). According to Midrash Hagadol, then, Yaakov’s choice was to send a message of unity between the sons of Leah and those of Rachel. This partnership, highlighted in the blessings to Rut and Boaz (Rut 4:11), is a condition for the ultimate redemption.
Why does the Torah stress that Yehuda was sent "before him"? Midrash Sechel Tov attributes it to manners – to let Yosef know that his father would be coming soon, as it is proper etiquette whenever an important person comes to visit. As part of the effort to build unity, etiquette and sensitivity play roles.
The Rabbis over the generations understood differently the meaning of "l’horot before him to Goshen." One approach (held by Unkelos, Rashi, and others) puts stress on "to Goshen." Yaakov sent Yehuda as a scout to find the best way to get to Goshen and find the best setup there. It was a priority that it not be too centrally located within Egypt, so that the local environs would not introduce serious spiritual problems. Along these lines, an opinion in Midrash Hagadol says, "to create a place to live."
The second approach focuses on l’horot and gives it a spiritual connotation. Rav Chama (in Midrash Hagadol) says that it was to prepare a meeting place for Torah. Rashi explains similarly – to establish a center of Torah study, from which rulings (hora’a) would emerge. Also in Midrash Rabba (Bereishit 95) – they would teach Torah to all of the tribes. Midrash Sechel Tov proposes a hint – l’horot is like l’orot, which has the gematria of 613. It goes on to say that Yosef established a yeshiva in Goshen that dealt with the wisdom of Torah before it was given. Rabbi Avraham, son of the Rambam, points out that the way horot is written gives it the same gematria as Torah.
All approaches teach important spiritual principles. In order to ensure the perpetuation of Jewish life, even in exile, it is necessary to establish a Torah-based center to spiritually provide for the Jewish population. This principle has been demonstrated repeatedly throughout history. Second, the center must be an intrinsic part of the community (in Hebrew, yeshiva and yishuv (community) are closely linked). Torah that is divorced from the needs of the community loses much of its effect as a "Torah of life." Connection to the nation is a basis of spirituality. It is self-evident that it is not possible to influence a broad cross section of society without taking part in helping protect that society (Based on this, Rav Yisraeli decided that only those who have served in the army are eligible to be avrechim at Eretz Hemdah.)
May our hopeful success in fostering unity help us finally emerge victorious in our just war against horrible perpetrators.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
