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Beit Midrash
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Miracles in bunches continued in the days of Yehoshua, who conquered most of Eretz Yisrael. The period started with the splitting of the Jordan. The walls of Jericho fell by miracle, and boulders fell from the sky in battle around the slopes of Beit Choron, at which time Yehoshua proclaimed that the sun and moon stop their progress (Yehoshua 10:12). During that war, he defeated the southern kings, including those of Yerushalayim and Lachish (ibid. 10:5). It is likely that these miracles occurred during the month of Nisan. Hundreds of years later, a miracle killed the formidable army of Sancheriv overnight (Melachim II, 19:35). The final miracle that made it into Tanach is the story of Esther, in the Persian period, soon before the sealing of Tanach. This also occurred on Pesach.
On Chanuka, we publicize the miracles and thank Hashem for the "miracles … and the salvations, and the wonders that You did for our fathers in those days at this time." Those days were in the times of the Hasmoneans, and this time refers to Chanuka (and similarly, for Purim a few months later), which is prominent on our calendars.
Since Simchat Torah 5784, in the various campaigns against powerful enemies, including Iran and its satellite armies, we have seen highly unusual miracles. This makes it crucial to thank Hashem and take an active part in the salvation and ensuring the future of the independent Jewish state. We must also guard carefully our national unity, which is necessary for divine assistance.
Now we will look at the common denominator between many of the miracles we mentioned above, in the realm of geography – drawing a route from Gilgal near the Jordan River, to Ay, to the path of today’s Hgwy. 443, through Ma’aleh Beit Choron, to Lachish and Yerushalayim.
After Yehoshua defeated Ay, five kings attacked our allies, the Givonim. Yehoshua pulled out of Gilgal, passed Ay, and attacked these kings, who were fleeing to the flatlands (Yehoshua 10:11-13). The miracle of the sun and moon "freezing" in place was witnessed by the world, creating a great kiddush Hashem. Sancheriv was to take a similar path as Yehoshua did, and his army’s sudden disappearance also created a stir in the world. Unfortunately, despite the generally great leadership of Chizkiyahu, who could have become Mashiach, they lost the chance when they did not properly thank Hashem.
The world thus did not become spiritually fixed. Therefore, it was necessary hundreds of years later, for the Hasmoneans to fight and defeat the Seleucid Greeks, with one of the most central battles being on the slopes of Beit Choron.
The miracles we have seen in these past two years are in many ways greater than those of the Hasmoneans, and they arguably can be compared to biblical miracles. May we find the wisdom to thank Hashem properly for the miracles and take part with Hashem in them.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
