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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
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- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
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We have also proven that during the periods of the forefathers and Moshe Rabbeinu, Torah leaders were highly involved in war. We now mention that it is Yaakov Avinu, the symbol of one who is immersed in Torah (see Bereishit 25:27), who stood up to and fought the angel of Eisav (see ibid. 32:25 with Rashi). This encounter earned him the name Yisrael, which indicates independence and ascendency. When preparing for the physical attack of Eisav and his 400 troops, Yaakov was at the head of the defense forces, buoyed by the merit of his diligence in the tents of Torah study.
Now we will look at Yehoshua’s army. He was commanded to prepare "swords of stone" (Yehoshua 5:2) to circumcise the nation so they could offer the Korban Pesach and conquer Yericho. While in the encampment before the battle, Yehoshua encountered a "man with a drawn sword" and asked the man whether he was friend or foe. The man answered: "I am the officer of Hashem’s army, and I have come now" (ibid. 13-14). The gemara (Megilla 3a) explains that he came to rebuke Yehoshua because the soldiers were not studying Torah at night, when battle was not being fought. This clearly indicates that during the day, it was fine for the soldiers to be at their posts and not learning. Thus, we see precedent for the phenomenon of Hesder student/soldiers. There was no protest against the drafting of students of Torah, and we do not find any such statement of Chazal. Those who want to keep Jewish tradition should emulate these historical Torah leaders.
The prophet Shmuel was equivalent in spiritual level to Moshe and Aharon (Tehillim 99:6), and he was the Torah teacher and spiritual guide of the first two kings, Shaul and David (see Shmuel I, 19:23-24 and Zevachim 54b). When Shmuel led the army of Israel against the Plishtim, Hashem smote the Plishtim, and Shmuel pursued them until they left the borders of Israel for good (Shmuel I, 7:13-14). There is no separation between Torah leadership and defense.
David was a great warrior on the field of battle, and Chazal see him and some of his top warriors as major Torah scholars (see Shmuel II, 23:13 and Psikta Rabbati 11). One of the p’sukim, that seems to describe a warrior who killed 800 enemy soldiers in one day (ibid. 8), Adino Ha’etzni, who was also the head of the Sanhedrin, is understood by the gemara (Mo’ed Katan 16b) as being a moniker of David. The name meant that he could be gentle, when involved in Torah study, and hard like wood, when at war. David was indeed thankful to Hashem for giving him greatness in battle (Tehillim 144:1), and this is something that the prophetess Avigail saw as particularly praiseworthy about him (Shmuel I, 25:28).
May all parts of the Torah community embrace the possibility and necessity of emulating the great religious figures who were also great physical defenders of the nation.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.