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Beit Midrash
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- Yom Haatzmaut
It's a time to especially appreciate the disproportionate share of Kibbutzniks in the military cemeteries and learn to emulate their ideology of the collective, and selfless giving. They never comprised more than 3% of Israeli society, but produced almost all (!) of the Prime Ministers & IDF Chiefs of Staff for the first 30 years of the State, and although to a lesser extent, supply leadership to this very day.
The present war shows a new phenomenon: that this arrow-head of leadership has clearly been transferred to the Kipot HaSrugot- the religious-Zionists. Our disproportionate share among the officers, battle units and reserves (although admittedly lacking in those early days of the State), is unfortunately also clearly expressed today in the military cemeteries.
Several days ago, I went to console the Cohen family of Sha'arei Tikva, and heard from Y'ella, Matan's mother, how this all is not coincidence. That youth who grow up not only learning g'mara but also Tanach, Mussar and Jewish philosophy, are the new arrow-head of Israel, already admired & examples to be emulated by the entire country.
Youth who grow up in homes like that of Y'ella Cohen, are nursed with the Torah of Rav Kook, & learn in Hesder Yeshivot from giants like R. Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l (rosh yeshiva of Gush Etzion), cannot forget when he analyzed society in 5 simple words: he roared: "האם איכפת לך או לא?!"- "Do you care or not" about other Jews, Israel, the non-religious…?! This is also what gets religious Zionists to be the ones making Aliya.
I once discussed with R. Eli Saddan, founder of the first pre-army Mechina in Eli, about the need to direct these living examples of religious-Zionist idealism, after leading the charge on the battle-field, to encourage those suitable, to begin a new page in Israeli politics. BezH that day is coming sooner than we thought, for if 3% of the population could once be the arrow-head, how much more so can 20%.
We must clarify, that we definitely don't want to "take over", but to the contrary, to be selfless & share. Every arrow needs a head, a Nachshon ben Aminadav, to show the ultimate idealism for all. No less important than being an arrow-head, is that religious-Zionist youth can logically & practically be the bridge between secular Zionism and non-Zionist religious Haredim. Harmonizing the best of all worlds, reviving the traditions of the heroes of Tanach, who all lived in Israel, served and led the Jewish army, spoke Hebrew and worked- Mitzvat Yishuv Eretz Yisrael (see Chatam Sofer, Sukkah 36; Rav Kook, Orot, p. 14).
Youth who have the self-discipline not to use their cell-phones on Shabbat, & express that same will-power in the IDF and all of Israeli society, can even serve as a "Light to (all of the) Nations", showing mankind how to balance modernism, religion, family, nationalism & humanism. If we were all to selflessly emulate that idealism in day to day life, we would be living in the atmosphere of Ge'ula, and won't need any more wars in the process to get us there.
Wishing you a meaningful Yom HaZikaron, and subsequently a Happy Yom HaAtzma'ut and 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
The Giving of the Torah When Should We Use Facts, Logic or Kabbala in Learning Torah?
Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
