YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Terumah
Historically, Am Yisrael have tried to build beautiful "mini-Temples" – shuls, which have served our nation, especially after the destructions of the first and second Batei Mikdash. They based this practice on the pasuk "Zeh Keili v’anveihu" (this is my G-d, and I shall adorn Him) (Shemot 15:2). Chazal learned from here that "A person is required to have pleasing tzitzit, a pleasing mezuza …, to write a pleasing sefer Torah … make pleasing mitzvot before Him, as Rabbi Yishmael said" (Sofrim 3:17). Yet, we find an alternative derivation – "Abba Shaul said: Resemble Him – just as He is compassionate and merciful, so should you be compassionate and merciful" (ibid.). What is behind these varied opinions?
Rabbi Yishmael saw the precious materials as an obligation and a fulfillment to adorn mitzvot. In contrast, Abba Shaul saw the spiritual "adornment," by perfecting one’s personal characteristics (being compassionate …) and clinging to the spiritual elements of service of Hashem, as a Jew’s primary mission in life.
"There is gold and a multitude of pearls, but the lips of knowledge are the precious vessel" (Mishlei 20:15). A midrash applies the pasuk to Moshe’s sadness that he had not contributed to the project of the Mishkan ("there is gold") and Hashem’s reassurance that the wisdom Moshe spoke to the people ("lips of knowledge") were more precious (Vayikra Rabba, Vayikra 1:6). Moshe brought the nation the ultimate wisdom, the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Torah, which taught all the principles of law and justice. This is much more precious than the gold and precious stones others gave. This is in line with Abba Shaul’s stress of the spiritual elements of adorning our relationship with Hashem.
The continuation of the midrash provides us with a memorable saying: "If you have acquired wisdom (da’at), what are you missing? If you are missing wisdom, what have you acquired?" Da’at is the most valuable commodity, and one should dedicate his whole life to acquiring it. What exactly is da’at? In looking for the meaning of a word in Tanach, we should look at the first place its root appears. Regarding the root da’oh, it is Adam "knowing his wife Chava" (Bereishit 4:1).
A man and woman who establish a home together have the potential to turn it into a dwelling place for the Divine Presence (see Sota 17a). Their physical connection must be an expression of a deep, lofty, spiritual connection. Similarly, while Bnei Yisrael were commanded to build a physical Mishkan, the Torah promises that it would lead to, "I will dwell among them" (Shemot 25:8), i.e., in the Mishkan and within every family. This gives context to Shir Hashirim, which compares the connection between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael to romantic feelings between a man and woman. Just like the physical contributions to the Mishkan did not suffice, neither do the physical elements in the building of a family.
Our emphasis on building and preserving strong connections between spouses and within the nation are preconditions to defeating our enemies and reestablishing a Beit Hamikdash in our times.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
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.