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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Matot
That gemara passage discusses King Shlomo’s trial of Yoav for killing two generals: Avner (Shaul’s general) and Amasa (Avshalom’s former general; later, David’s).
Regarding Amasa’s killing, Yoav argued that Amasa rebelled against King David by failing to mobilize troops as David ordered. The crisis involved Sheva ben Bichri’s rebellion, which continued Avshalom’s challenge to David’s authority. Sheva’s supporters claimed that one could serve Hashem anywhere, not just in Jerusalem. This threatened David’s life work and part of the Rambam’s twelfth principle of faith – the Davidic monarchy.
When Yoav confronted Amasa in Givon, at the site of the high altar David wanted to make obsolete, Amasa was debating a halacha with soldiers – should a Beit Hamikdash be built, thus forbidding local altars. His opponents argued that because David’s approach was incorrect, they were not obligated to fight the rebellion, as derived from Yehoshua (1:7) that one cannot be forced to enlist if called to do an aveira. However, Amasa’s argument was rejected, and Yoav was acquitted for killing him. However, the matter had nothing to do with the soldiers’ Torah learning status.
After Moshe’s sin at Mei Merivah, he requested Hashem to appoint a successor, and Yehoshua received full authority. He was to conquer the Land and also to study Torah, day and night. Yehoshua internalized these words and announced an obligatory war of conquest. He reminded the two-and-a-half tribes of their commitment to join the fight. The people accepted his leadership, declaring his royal authority and that those who do not accept it are due to be put to death. The king has the authority to conscript soldiers, and certainly for a war of mitzva to conquer the Land, and all the more so to protect Jews under attack.
It is inconceivable that when modern-day Israel’s enemies attack, murdering brutally, assaulting and harming everyone from infants to elderly, any group, however distinguished, should declare themselves exempt from military service due to Torah study. Would any of them stand by if a family member were being attacked, due to Torah study?
The very Torah they study explicitly states: "You shall not stand by your neighbor’s blood" (Vayikra 19:16). How could anyone suggest that when the Jewish people face brutal attack, in situations of individual and national life-threatening danger, someone will push off his rescue effort until after finishing his studies?
The gemara provides no exemption for Torah scholars from army service. The exempting derivation from Yehoshua refers exclusively to situations where authorities command citizens to act against Halacha, such as violating commandments. For obligatory wars, all must serve.
Even in these turbulent times, we must maintain our unity and love every Jew. We must continue fighting our enemies and defeating them in every aspect, pray for comfort for all bereaved families (including our non-Jewish allies), and pray for the swift return of all hostages and the healing of all of the wounded.
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.
