YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Va'etchanan
"Their actions and thoughts are coming to gather all the nations and cultures, and they will come see My glory … They will bring all your brothers from among the nations … It shall be every month and every Shabbat that all flesh will come to bow down before Me, said Hashem" (Yeshayahu 66:18-23). Radak explains that "all flesh" includes all the nations. This, then, is what it means at the end of Ashrei, "all flesh will bless His holy name" (Tehillim 145:21; see Rashi ad loc.). Yeshayahu was boldly prophesying for Assyrians to hear, that while they exiled much of Am Yisrael and were an all-powerful pagan nation, Am Yisrael would return to the Land, and all nations would recognize Hashem and serve Him in Eretz Yisrael.
When Shlomo inaugurated the Beit Hamikdash, his speech highlighted the centrality of the Temple as a place for the service and effective prayers of nations from around the world, who would then be inspired to fully accept Hashem’s presence there (Melachim I, 8:41-43). Shortly before the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash, Tzefania (3:20) shared the vision of the eventually returning exiles inspiring the nations to recognize Hashem. Zecharia, who prophesied at the time of the Persian Empire, saw the nations asking to be brought along ("holding on to the cloaks") as Hashem embraced the ingathering Jews (8:20-23).
On the other hand, prophets foretold that there would be nations who would not accept this approach, and their lot would be bitter. Yechezkel (see ch. 38-39), speaking at the time of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, describes the nations being hit by fierce natural elements and some nations falling on the mountains of Israel as Hashem judged them, as He becomes known and sanctified before the eyes of many nations. Zecharia prophesied that those segments of non-Jewish society who would not come to bow down before Hashem in Yerushalayim, especially on Sukkot, would not receive rain in their lands and would be susceptible to plagues (14:12-18).
During WW II, not only did the cursed Nazis try to annihilate European Jewry, but also to conquer Eretz Yisrael and destroy its Jews as well. Rommel attacked from North Africa, and other forces approached from Iran-Persia. Hashem, in His mercy, made them fall at the hands of the Allies (as Chief Rabbi Herzog had guaranteed). Recently as well, the Axis of Evil – China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, and their proxies, have shown their true colors. With Hashem’s help, their end will be like that of the Nazis.
The Nation and State of Israel will not rest until every person that Hashem created will know Who brings light to the world. We shall help spread His light by running our nation according to the principles of charity and justice that Hashem taught us. In the meantime, we pray for the success of the IDF and security forces, a full recovery for the wounded, consolation for bereaved families, and return of all the hostages.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.