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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Vayikra
The gemara (Yoma 4b) posits that the kri’ah preceding Hashem’s speaking is the Torah’s way of teaching us good manners – a person should not speak to his friend before calling out to him. It is interesting that this lesson about relationships between man and man comes in the opening specifically of a book that deals primarily with mitzvot between man and Hashem. We are to remember that even if one has an important piece of information to relay, he should do it in a manner that shows respect and grace. Not only is content important; so is the way it is conveyed.
Rashi (to our pasuk) also relates a compliment to Moshe. Hashem related to Moshe as to one of the angels in His "entourage." We also see the element of courtesy appreciated by people: "[He used] a language of affection, language that Heavenly angels use, as it says ‘… they called one to the other’ (Yeshayahu 6:3)." This quote appears in the ma’aseh hamerkava, one of the most sublime prophetic visions. We should learn that all the more so, a person who wants to impact on others should go about it by speaking to him in the proper manner.
Rabbeinu Asher, the famous halachist known as the Rosh, taught us a related lesson from our opening pasuk. The last letter of "Vayikra" is an abnormally small aleph, because Moshe would make himself small. Indeed, the Torah refers to Moshe as the humblest person on the face of the earth (Bamidbar 12:3). Moshe’s unique trait, which distinguished him even from Aharon and Miriam, was his humility. Indeed, anyone who wants to excel in the Torah of Moshe should be armed with a nice level of this characteristic.
The Zohar (Vayeilech 285a) connects between our pasuk and "When I call out in Hashem’s Name, ascribe greatness to our G-d" (Devarim 32:3). This connection hints at the following idea. Our pasuk, the "gateway" to the Torah of sacrifices, is closely connected to the general value of learning Torah (the pasuk in Devarim is the source of the mitzva to make a beracha before learning Torah). When we cannot bring korbanot, the study of Torah, which Moshe enabled, remains open. Again, in order to succeed in Torah, we need humility and the ability to relate nicely to our counterparts. Joining and helping society at large also requires us to embrace "Its ways are the ways of pleasantness" (Mishlei 3:17).
Hashem calls to us by means of Moshe and his Torah, and we call out to Hashem by learning that same Torah. May we soon merit to have the Beit Hamikdash in our midst, where the Divine Presence will dwell and Torah will emerge.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
