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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
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.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
