YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Miketz
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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
