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Beit Midrash
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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)
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.
Ein Aya Complete G-dliness Doesn't Weaken But Enhances Natural Drives
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 50
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.