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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
Shavuot is the only Jewish holiday whose exact date is not found in the Torah. Indeed, it is observed on the "50th day," following seven full weeks of counting, starting with "the day after the shabbat" (Vayikra 23:16) i.e., the day after the first day of Pesach. Since fundamentally, Iyar and Sivan can each be either 29 or 30 days, the date of Shavuot is not set (prior to the setting of the calendar 16-17 centuries ago).
The Torah was given at Sinai, a region whose location we know, but the specific mountain is unclear. We do not find that Am Yisrael ever turned Mt. Sinai into a "holy site," at which one should serve Hashem, or attributed special halachot to it.
One can perform the Torah’s commandments only in a physical place (preferably, Eretz Yisrael), and while living under a framework of time. On the other hand, one can "break free" from the physical constraints of time and place – through Torah study! When learning Torah, we try to separate ourselves from our physical place and connect to the Makom (play on word between place and a reference to Hashem) of the world. We should raise ourselves up to the Heavens, which is also a spiritual term, and is also called Makom (see last week’s d’var Torah). Torah study enables us to build lofty spiritual worlds, beyond the physical world, that are not governed by time.
Indeed, Torah study frees us from the bonds of time, because Tanach came to us from the Heavens, and the Heavens is a place that is not a place and does not have time. This is a reason that one of the principles of biblical exegesis is "there is no earlier and later in the Torah." The Torah is a lesson in existence, which relates to all elements of time – past, present, and future. The thoughts that Torah evokes remove physical constraints to freedom – "there is no free person like one who studies Torah."
The tablets given at Sinai were "produced by G-d, and the writing was the writing of G-d, charut (lit., engraved) on the tablets." Pirkei Avot (6:2) instructs to read it as cheirut (freedom) on the tablets. (This connects us to Pesach and its companion holiday, Yom Ha’atzmaut.)
The Torah is compared to light. Light is at the edge of the material world; on its other side is energy. The speed of light is one of the material world’s boundaries, and it is part of the Einsteinian equation that connects physical mass to energy.
The Torah was given, starting with the Ten Commandments. The world was created with ten divine utterings (Avot 5:1), the first being "Let there be light" (Bereishit 1:3). This hints at the connection between light and Torah.
We pray that the light of the Torah will illuminate the world. Let all nations seek Torah in Jerusalem, the "light of the world." May evil be destroyed, and goodness flourish. May the hostages return, the injured be healed, and consolation be felt in the houses of our dear fallen brethren. May unity lead us in our personal and national lives, on our way to full liberation.
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.