YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ha'azinu
Chazal call Rosh Hashana the "Day of Judgment," as we say in our prayers, "Today He will place in judgment all of the creations of the worlds." Nevertheless, it is a happy, optimistic day, especially because of our strong belief in the covenant between Hashem and the Jewish People. During the millennia in exile as a persecuted, vulnerable minority, Am Yisrael did not lose hope and re-coronated the Creator and King of the World year after year.
On the tenth day of Hashem sitting on His throne of judgment, on a day of fasting and separation from worldly matters, Am Yisrael commemorates the day on which Hashem said "I forgave." Five days later, we hold four species and leave the protection of a permanent house to live in a sukka. On the eighth day, we proclaim that Hashem causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall. Sukkot is strongly connected to agricultural life, as the Torah calls it "The festival of the harvest" (Shemot 34:22).
Let us explore an additional look at the holidays. On Rosh Hashana we confirm the Kingdom of the Creator of existence from nothing; this ‘coronation’ expresses strong optimism. Since Hashem created the world ex nihilo, He is the "Place of the World," and the world does not contain Him. Hashem is external to the world, although it exists only through Him. Therefore, the rules of nature, including that only the strong survive, do not hold sway on "His flock, who coronate Him." The eternal nation’s survival is ensured, even if it is the symbol of weakness among nations, especially during the long exile, in which it lost any semblance of nationhood. By rejoicing on Rosh Hashana while in exile, the nation demonstrated that spirit is more important than material.
On Yom Kippur, we go further – we posit that the material world is the fake world, as the real world is the spiritual one. We manage fine without eating and physical pleasures. The decisions made based on this belief last until the next Yom Kippur. The next step, Sukkot, is to show that security is not dependent on a sturdy structure. The condition is that our four species must be held together, including the arava, which is brought to the Mikdash on the seventh day, and proclaims the significance of arvut – standing up for each other.
Finally, we are ready for mashiv haruach (which in Hebrew means not only wind, but also spirit). Spirituality, the valuing of charity and justice, are what give our nation its might, not its material acquisitions. This provides a partial look at a full Jewish life.
In our still relatively new State of Israel in Eretz Yisrael, even the mundane becomes sacred. It is not enough for the individual to embrace spirituality. Rather, the nation must, while involved in agriculture and production, also be concerned about the weak in society. The court system must protect all, and everyone must look out for the needs of the other. In short, along with mashiv haruach, we have morid hageshem (geshem meaning not only rain but also the material world) – spirituality turns the material world into a tool to implement Hashem’s value system.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts