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Beit Midrash
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What did Avraham mean with this naming and characterization of the place? It is instructive to see the Torah’s related uses of yireh and yeira’eh. When Avraham asked Hashem where the sacrifice would come from, He answered: "G-d will see (yireh) for him a sheep for a burnt offering" (ibid. 7-8). When the Torah commands to go up to the Temple, it says: "Three times a year all of your males shall be seen (yeira’eh) before the face of the Master, Hashem" (Shemot 23:17). This command to be seen in the Temple appears two other times in the Torah (ibid. 34:23; Devarim 16:16); there is a deep meaning to the fact that a phrase comes up three times in the Torah.
Avraham gives expression to the major change from Hashem seeing, to it being seen on the mountain of Hashem. Mt. Moriah, called the "place that Hashem will choose," is the place where the descendants of Avraham (who bound), Yitzchak (who was bound), and the grandchild Yaakov, need to be seen – this is the "being seen" on Hashem’s mountain.
The Nation of Israel have a meeting of sight, if you will, in the Holy of Holies of the Beit Hamikdash, which is built on the mountain of Hashem (see Yeshayahu 2:2). There, it becomes clear that there is special love, which is expressed so beautifully in our parasha, "For I have known [Avraham], as he commands his sons and his household after him, and they do charity and justice so that Hashem will bring to Avraham that which He spoke" (Bereishit 18:19). The word "know" represents the most intimately close connection, and this pasuk follows one which says that Avraham will turn into a great nation and the nations of the world will be blessed through him. Hashem first promised Avraham that his progeny would form a great nation together with the first command of "Lech lecha" (ibid. 12:2).
The transition is clear. On the way to the akeida, it appeared that the sacrifice was the main thing, which is why Avraham asked about the sheep, and Hashem answered with yireh. However, once the angel prevented offering Yitzchak, it turned out that the important thing was yeira’eh, in other words to draw close to Hashem. Mt. Moriah was the place where Hashem would show the world His closeness with Am Yisrael, who follow the path of charity and justice.
The world will learn that Israel, small quantitatively, improves the world qualitatively. The waves of anti-Semitism will turn into waves of love and admiration. The nations will realize that Hashem’s blessing will come to them only through their connection to Avraham’s chosen progeny (ibid. 12:3, and strengthened ibid. 22:17-18). Enemies who will not succeed to accept this, will fall under the category of "those who curse you, I will curse" (ibid.12:3) and disappear from the world.
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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