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Beit Midrash
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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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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.