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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Mishpatim
In contrast, Mishpatim discusses relatively mundane matters. What are the laws of a Hebrew slave? What happens if he does not want to be freed? We see the laws of murderers, or one who curses his parents. What about one who damages another’s property? These matters are relevant when a normal nation lives normally in its land. What are we to make of the proximity of these diverse sections of the Torah? In general, there are two approaches to the proximity of different sections. R. Akiva says that they are to be learned one from the other; Rebbe says that adjacent sections can be as far from each other as east from west (Sifrei, Bamidbar 131).
There is a strong rule in Jewish law that a punishment must be preceded by a Torah warning (=commandment). This is a fundamental, not just a technical, requirement. Warnings are written in an absolute form: "Do not steal." "Do not rule unjustly." Punishments are usually written conditionally, in the form of "if ... then..." and generally begin with the word "ki" ("should ..."). The warning is, after all, purely Divine, representing what is absolutely just. It has nothing to do with one’s willingness to "pay the price" or the authorities’ ability to implement it. In contrast, the punishment is of practical relevance only under conditions where the authorities can carry it out. It is written conditionally to show that the system of punishment is not based on societal agreement but has its source at Sinai.
The word "ki" appears in Mishpatim 38 times, because our parasha focuses on punishments rather than warnings. The Ten Commandments, found in Yitro, contain warnings, all of which find expression in our parasha. It is important to realize that the conditional description of the Torah’s punishment is not intended to take away from the Divine value of these words of Torah. To stress this, Hashem attached it to the commandments that were given at Sinai. Only after the punishments are presented does the Torah summarize, "Everything that Hashem said, we will do and hear" (Shemot 24:7). As far apart as the sections are, they share their Divine Sinaitic origin.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.