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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: The beracha on large bodies of water is not about miracles within nature. Rather, it acknowledges Hashem’s creation of impressive, formidable, and/or impactful natural phenomena, for which the vastness of major bodies of water qualify (see also Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 219:1). Whether one is personally impressed does not determine whether he makes the beracha (see Sha’ar Ha’ayin p. 420,429). What is required is that one’s encounter with the body of water is new, i.e., he has not seen it in thirty days (Berachot 59b). There is a machloket whether for one who lives near the sea but has not seen it in 30 days, a sighting is considered new, which was relevant when you were a child. Most poskim assume that one makes the beracha even when seeing it from a few miles above the water, through glass, as long as it is clearly visible (B’tzel Hachochma II:16). Therefore, while many wonderful Jews do not make the beracha, we encourage doing so when applicable.
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
639 - Ask the Rabbi: Finishing to Eat but Continuing to Drink
640 - Ask the Rabbi: Beracha on Mediterranean and Atlantic
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What is the Yam Hagadol? The Shulchan Aruch (OC 228:1) assumes that it is the Mediterranean, as the Torah calls it when giving it as a border of Eretz Yisrael (Bamidbar 34:6). However, there are different texts and readings of the Rosh (ibid.) on this very question, and the Divrei Chamudot on the Rosh (Berachot 9:37) argues that THE great sea is the ocean that "surrounds the whole world" (Atlantic and/or Pacific), whereas the Mediterranean gets the standard beracha of OMB. Some say that the Mediterranean qualifies because it is connected to the Atlantic and is "fed" by it, and the Knesset Hagedola (Beit Yosef 228:2) says that both deserve HYHG.
There is no consensus on which opinion to accept, but the Mishna Berura (228:2) leans toward OMB for the Mediterranean and HYHG for the Atlantic. He also points out that OMB is a more general beracha (like Shehakol for foods) and works b’di’eved even if HYHG was the correct beracha (Be’ur Halacha to OC 228:1). Fascinatingly, B’tzel Hachochma (II:12) argues that since OMB is called for only for those things that existed at the creation of the world and since there are Talmudic accounts that the Mediterranean basin was not originally filled with water, one cannot be yotzei with OMB but only with HYHG. However, the more accepted opinion is OMB on the Mediterranean and HYHG on the Atlantic (see Piskei Teshuvot 228:2; Halichot Shlomo 23:29). (We will not discuss special steps to fulfill more opinions.)
Contemporary poskim wonder about what to do on a trip where one passes both bodies of water (see Divrei Yatziv, OC I:95). There is logic to recite on both, at least if one makes different berachot on them and given the significant break between them. However, because there is reason to say that these connected waterways are one regarding this beracha (B’tzel Hachochma II:16) and since you will be within 30 days of seeing a vast body of water, it is advisable not to make a second beracha (with Hashem’s Name). On the way back within 30 days, one definitely does not make another beracha, assuming he saw the water clearly on the first leg.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
