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Beit Midrash
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The ingenious & rational Rambam (hil. M'lachim 5, 5) adds several surprising words in defining the Torah mitzva to remember what Amalek did to us: "to constantly (!) remember their evil deeds and their ambush of Israel TO AROUSE OUR HATRED of them". We usually relate to hatred as something we are meant to overcome, and surely not "arouse"! And why does the Rambam add that this obligation is "constant".
Another obvious question is: if there is no longer Amalek in the world, why must we stubbornly "remember what Amalek did to us". We Jews have a long memory, but when an historic issue seems no longer relevant, the Talmud asks: "מאי דהוה הוה!", "What was, was"- so who cares? (e.g. Yoma 5b), so what's the "nafka mina" (practical application)?! Anyway you look at it, it's been 2500 years since there was a practical mitzvah to fight the Amalek children!
I think this mitzvah can be likened to the classic advice of many a father to their teenage daughter: "BH you have grown up to be a very sweet and beautiful young lady, and we love you that way, but don't be naïve. Just know that there are some evil people out in the world. Don’t let them take advantage of you!"
We Israeli citizens who comprise the IDF are normal peace-loving people who are not naturally "tough", and would prefer spending our time on creative pursuits. This is exactly the problem which enabled the Hamas to surprise us on that fateful Simchat Torah. Many Israelis lived in a naïve dream-world, thinking that if we just pull out of Gush Katif, if we just treat them nicely, there will be peace. We mistakenly PROJECTED our own mindset onto our enemy. Didn't our parents teach us: "it take two to tangle"? So if we are adamant to be friendly with them, rationally that's what we should get in return (see Mishlei 20, 17).
Unfortunately, the past year year and a half, the Hamas has proven to anyone objective that the lack of peace in the middle-east is a direct outcome of their understanding of Islam. What does murdering the helpless, rape and mutilation have to do with their "freedom"? I admit that I don't know much about their religion, and that there may be other peaceful interpretations to Islam, but as long as Hamas and ISIS interpret it the way they do, we cannot put our heads in the sand and deny reality. Yes, Am Yisrael yearns for peace, but in our eternal role as a Light to the Nations, our loving Father teaches us this Shabbat, that it's irresponsible to be naïve and let evil people take advantage of us. This is a constant mitzvah, just in case we sometimes may want to forget the irrationality of anti-Semitism…
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
Additional Lessons Answering Accusations of Israeli-Occupation
& Why the Moral Mitzvot are Geared Only to Jews- Not Gentiles?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
