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Beit Midrash
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- Parashat Hashavua
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In the prophecy of Yirmiyahu, there is an allusion to the connection to Yerushalayim already from their post-Exodus period in the desert. "Go and call out in the ears of Yerushalayim: So says Hashem, I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your nuptials, as you followed Me in the desert, in an uncultivated land" (2:2). The Vilna Gaon taught that this is a reference to "Jerusalem on high," whose gematria equals "Knesset Yisrael" (the full community of Israel).
Along these lines, we will try to understand the pasuk in Tehillim about Yerushalayim connectiveness. What does it connect? The Vilna Gaon teaches that Am Yisrael exists on two levels – the sum total of individuals who exist at any given time, in the physical world; a higher, spiritual element, called Knesset Yisrael, which remains, based in the Heavens, unchanged from generation to generation.
We proceed after the following introduction. After Bnei Yisrael entered the Land, for more than 400 years, it was unknown where is the "place that Hashem will choose," about which it says, "… for His presence you shall seek and shall come there" (Devarim 12:5). The answer, though, is already hinted at in Bereishit (22:2,4). He was to go to the Land of Moriah, and on the way, he "saw the place from a distance."
The person who revealed the place, after great effort and sleepless nights, was King David (see a description of these efforts in Tehillim 132:1-5). In Divrei Hayamim (I, 21:15-28) it tells how Bnei Yisrael were subjugated to a plague of pestilence, which was depicted by a destructive angel with a sword outstretched over Yerushalayim. To prevent further death, the navi received instruction from an angel that David should make an altar and sacrifice at the place of the silo of Ornan. After this stopped the plague, David was convinced that this was the place for service of Hashem.
This event taught not only where the exact place of the Mikdash needed to be, but also that this is the place of connection between the Heaven and the earth, between the spiritual and the physical, between Hashem and Knesset Yisrael, and between Yerushalayim on high and earthly Yerushalayim. This is the point of contact between true existence (the spiritual world) and lack of existence (the physical world). From this point on, the term Heaven and the term makom (place) became overlapping. (Notably, at a house of mourning, Ashkenazim bless that the Makom shall bring comfort, and Sephardim bless that comfort shall come from the Heaven.)
The descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov pray every day that we should merit to gain from the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds, in the place where Avraham bound Yitzchak. This is stressed by the pasuk that identifies the place of the Mikdash as Mt. Moriah (Divrei Hayamim II, 3:1).
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
