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Beit Midrash
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- 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
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.
