Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Bo
This reminded me of our sages who taught on these parshiot, that even though our fore-fathers in Egypt were not religious, even serving idols, they kept their Jewish identity and pride, not changing their Hebrew names, language & dress (Vayikra Rabba 32). Over 200 years, it's natural to assimilate to want to identify with the more respected Egyptians, but their nationalism brought about redemption, just as the secular Eliezer Ben-Yehuda & David Ben-Gurion's nationalism both caused and furthered our modern redemption.
Rav Kook points out that if secular Zionism won't reconnect with our original nationalism: the Tanach & the religious aspects of Judaism, "it will run out of gas" within 2 or 3 generations (Orot, p. 134). He writes that nationalism should be based on that which is unique to each nation, and by us, it's our Tanach, religion and history, our Holy Language & Holy Land (ibid, p. 64 & 164). We see today that the Hamas attack on Israel has reawakened many Israelis & Jews throughout the world to their Jewish identity. I personally have come across survivors & hostages of the Hamas attack who accepted upon themselves more religious observance if they will be saved. Statistically, most Israelis and Jews in general have moved to become more nationalistic, rudely awakened by Hamas and Hague, not to naively place our trust in our Islamic neighbors nor in the UN. In the present war, the IDF, always the best melting-pot of Israel, has successfully unified right and left, religious and secular (hopefully also Haredi), reminding us that Israelis really agree on almost all of the really important issues. The sadistic Hamas and their supporters have reintroduced us to THEMSELVES and to OURSELVES.
The smartphone generation has even surprised themselves with altruistic self-sacrifice and dedication that's probably even stronger than by their parents. Rediscovering Jewish pride & national identity, while going out to war singing the religious and national songs (and often even donning tzitzit), together with their religious comrades and commanders, this war has proven to be an important game-changer, to return to our original selves. Shabbat Shalom! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
Beating the Concept of the Firstborn
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | 11 Shvat 5784
Parashat Bo
The Torah's Vision of Our National Role
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Tebet 5759
Parashat Hashavua: A Look Beyond Time and Space
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 5785
Gluten-Free, Sake, and Vegan
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Shvat 5783
Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.
Vision of Vegetarianism and Peace (2)
Kitvei HaRav Kook 9
18 Sivan 5769
What Should We "Take Home" from the Corona Crisis?
Iyar 16 5780
When Should We Use Facts, Logic or Kabbala in Learning Torah?
Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7
