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We see in this week's parsha that Avraham "works hard" in a long & detailed give-and-take to buy the Ma'arat HaMachpela in Chevron. Like Har HaBayit and Shchem, Avraham refuses to accept it as a gift and davka pays with the most impeccable coins and does so in the most public way possible, for he wants it to be clear forever and to all, that no gentiles can claim Eretz Yisrael (Breishit Rabba 79, 7, see also 1st Rashi in the Torah).
The Ibn Ezra (23, 19) explains that this chapter teaches us that from this point and forever we have, not just a Heavenly promise but a tangible & eternal stronghold in the Land of Israel. It also comes "to inform us the outstanding status of Eretz Yisrael above all other lands, for the living and dead, alike".
Kiddushin, betrothing a wife, is the 1st symbol, tangible, legal and halachic sign of love & eternal bond between the couple. In my first year in high school, I heard R. Shlomo Riskin point out that it's not a coincidence that chazal (Kiddushin 2a) learn this from the very first, as well as the final land acquisition in Eretz Yisrael. Avraham's obtaining Chevron, and Yirmiyahu's buying land in Israel for the final redemption (Yirmiyahu 32, 44), are the source of how to do Kiddushin and marriage, for the ultimate example of eternal love with which we wish to bless the new couple is the similar relationship between Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Even when nations forcibly separated us, we knew it was temporary and continuously tried (and did!) return to her. Similarly, like a faithful wife, Israel waited for her lover, not giving her fruits to foreign nations, who all tried but to no avail (Ramban, Vayikra 26). And now that we have returned, "As a young man lives with a virgin, so shall your children live in you (Eretz Yisrael)… (Yishayahu 62, 5). Moreover, as opposed to "buying" an object, when one does Kiddushin, he doesn't "own" his beloved and cannot sell or give her to others. Similarly Eretz Yisrael is our beloved land forever, and we don't really "acquire" her with "damim" (Hebrew for money and BLOOD) for she is ESSENTIALLY meant for us, and accordingly we cannot give her away or sell her, even if we want to. There's even NO possibility of DIVORCE!
Rav Kook (Ma'amarei HaReiya, p. 323), in his heartfelt cry, "Come you all to Eretz Yisrael", stresses that Aliya is the answer to ALL of the problems, both spiritual and physical. Especially today, aside from the many positive religious mitzvot, as well as national and historical reasons to make Aliya (the future is clearly here), and that real estate in Israel is a solid & eternal investment, Jews outside of Israel struggle with assimilation & intense cultural influences (like self-centeredness, weakening of the family and gender confusion, not to mention intermarriage), anti-Semitism, the cost of yeshiva education, changing neighborhoods, a lack of Torah leadership, etc. BH here we have the HOME-COURT advantage, and we select our culture and priorities. The Torah often points out that the mitzvot are (Dvarim 6,, 24) "לטוב לנו", for our benefit, and sound advice (Yishayahu 25, 1). Only Hashem can know all of the complex factors involved in such far-reaching decisions, and only He can solve all problems with one concrete command: ISRAEL, "והרושתם את הארץ וישבתם בה", "inherit=own=buy the Land & settle her" (Bamidbar 33, 53). Also note, our beloved is always referred to in the FEMININE, as our soulmate.
Friends from NY have informed me that it's not a rumor but a fact that many who planned to buy homes in Eretz Yisrael, but delayed realizing their dream, are now, with the election of Mamdani, bringing their ideal into fruition. We always preferred that our fellow Jews should come home to Israel out of ideals, and not out of fear, ובאו ציון ברינה"", (Yishayahu 51, 11), and it's not too late for that (for the assimilated Jews are not coming so soon, not to mention those running to Florida, so those making Aliya now is clearly ALSO out of ideals), but the main point is to come Home anyway possible! Shabbat Shalom, Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.
Ein Aya Practical Tricks How Not to Accept Gossip by Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Ayn Aya, Shabbat v, 65
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
