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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Moreshet Shaul
The role that the Beit Hamikdash had in Israel is now taken up by the four cubits of Halacha. People are deeply involved, one in his agricultural tools and another in his writing tools. Yet others pass through the sea and don’t have time to contemplate how they live and for what purpose. Then the pilgrimage holidays come, and each person frees himself from his occupation, taking his child on his shoulders and traveling to Yerushalayim. There, a new world opens up before him. A silence of sanctity takes hold in the lofty, chosen place. The person gets to live a few days in a different world – new, lofty. He is enveloped with a new spirit, and returns to his home renewed and refreshed.
There is a symbiotic effect here. During the course of the year, the kohanim are only able to pray and perform Temple service on behalf of the general populace working in the fields and dwelling in the cities of the nation. The nation is too distant from them to be able to be familiar with them, to know what the people need, what to pray for them. During the holidays, the people arrive with a thirst to hear the word of Hashem. The prophets share their prophecies with them, and the kohanim teach the words of the Torah. [That is what was.]
The Temple was destroyed, and, with it, our world was destroyed. There is no longer a center with abundant sanctity, at which people absorb the fragrance of spirituality. However, the hidden treasure of the holy Torah – the four cubits of Halacha – remains. If during most of the year, the average person is not able to spend sufficient time within these four cubits, when the same holidays of old come along, the Jew can turn with his time on the holiday, to the local beit midrash (study hall). Admittedly, the four cubits [cannot compare to the Temple], and even though his going there is not accompanied with the music, dance, and crowds of celebrants associated with the Temple, still those who come are blessed. They are blessed for their interest of voluntarily entering the four cubits of Halacha.
We know that there is a parallel between how one comes to see [the Divine Presence at the Beit Hamikdash] and how one is seen by Hashem. Just as one comes to be seen with two [divine] "eyes," so too he comes to see with two eyes (Chagiga 2a). As they came, with eyes thirsting [for spirituality], this is what they merited to find. The same is true for us. As we merit to stand in the house of Hashem, so we will absorb within us the great thirst, and our service of Hashem will be full of the lofty yearning which we received from the great world [beyond us]. We will certainly be careful not to come to the Temple with our walking staff and backpack. The days are holy for the purpose of elevating our spirit, for our soul to be joyous, and to prepare to receive more and more inspiration.
During the pilgrimage holidays, all of the groups of kohanim took part in the service (as opposed to one group per week during the year). Within the Mikdash, where all are kohanim, all of them were treated like the ones whose turn it was.
"You shall get up and go up to the place which Hashem will choose" (Devarim 17:8). "This teaches that the place causes [i.e., the rulings of the court to carry special weight]" (Sota 45a). At first glance, what difference does it make where one studies? Does his mind work differently? Still, "the place causes…" It could be the same kohen or judge [in two different places], and it is not the same thing. The special character of the place joins up with the halachic authority and gives his words extra power. The place has something significant in the ability to use the intellect and feelings.
Moreshet Shaul (44)
Various Rabbis
20 - Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part II
21 - Moreshet Shaul: Mini-Temple
22 - Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part I
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Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121-124
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Fortunate is the King Who Is Thus Praised in His House
Based on Aroch Siach, Yamim Noraim p. 87
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p.154
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
