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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
Right before Bnei Yisrael left Egypt and before the splitting of Yam Suf, Moshe exclaimed; "Do not fear; hityatzvu (command of nitzavim) and see the salvation of Hashem that He will do for you today" (Shemot 14:13). Our parasha (Devarim 29:9) uses the term to describe how all were standing before Hashem.
Before David, the first king who tried to establish an independent kingdom in the Promised Land, was chosen, Shmuel, who was equal to Moshe and Aharon, also used the term, twice: "Now, hityatzvu … also now hityatzvu and see the great thing that Hashem is doing today before your eyes" (Shmuel I, 12:7-16).
Before the splitting of the sea there were four groups with very different plans: 1) To enter the sea; 2) To return to Egypt; 3) To fight the Egyptians; 4) To scream as the Egyptians would approach (Yerushalmi, Ta’anit 2:5). It seemed like there would be no way to reconcile their differences. Yet, the midrash (Mechilta D’Rashbi Shemot 14:13) says that Moshe spent time trying to appease the masses of each group. The result was "Vayitatzvu," which the Pesikta translates as they got closer to each other – all this, with Moshe’s guidance.
The pasuk indicates that the people at Yam Suf wanted a solution "today," i.e., immediately. The midrash explains how Moshe’s wisdom enabled him to appease the whole population. It cites the pasuk of "Hityatzvu and see" ("hityatzvu and see the salvation of Hashem that He will do for you today") to show that the Divine Presence accompanied Moshe, as it compares the pasuk to the pasuk in Shmuel (I, 3:10), "Hashem came and was mityatzev and called." This, says the midrash, teaches that Hashem opened the people’s eyes so that they saw Hashem’s many angels. They felt that there were more on their side than on the other (compare to Melachim II, 6:16). They were also relieved by the fact that it said that the salvation would come that day.
The year before the war was one that will be remembered for harsh national arguments with unnecessarily biting rhetoric. Extreme factions drew the public into an atmosphere of baseless hatred. Simchat Torah is, in some ways, the first day of the year (among other days). On Simchat Torah of 5784, Am Yisrael was hit with a horrendous blow, which took a serious toll of blood and anguish from those who have lost loved ones, have been injured, or are or have relatives in cruel captivity. Despite this, the gains that we have made regarding national unity, while under pressure, still have been crucial. The miracles that Hashem has shown us in many arenas of difficult fighting, should and hopefully will remain in our consciousness for many years.
We must remember to be mityatzeiv – on the level of unity and understanding people who think very differently than us, and to join in practical service for the security of the nation. May these accomplishments help bring the "salvation of Hashem," which we need so dearly and "hayom," as quickly as possible. This is what we can think when the Torah reading begins: "You are nitzavim today, all of you."
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
