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Beit Midrash
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- 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
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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.
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.
