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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
The leadership struggle between Yehuda and Yosef, for the time and for all of history, accompanies the narrative starting from Parashat Vayeishev, including harsh events. On the other hand, there were also moments of great grace and self-sacrifice that healed wounds. These moments allowed the tensions to ease and enabled national energies to be channeled for positive matters.
The offspring of Yehuda and of Yosef had a common denominator – they had a status of nobility in the Israelite community in Egypt. Yosef is considered the crown of his brothers (Bereishit 49:26), as his standing as viceroy elevated the whole family. Yehuda, on the other hand, was a major part of the delegation who felt the need to approach Yosef after Yaakov’s funeral, with the suggestion of "We are slaves to you" (ibid. 50:18). The descendants of Yosef’s son Menashe were also frustrated over the fact that Yaakov gave precedence and prominence to Ephrayim and his family (ibid. 48:19-20).
What did these families (families used to be the dominant factors in a couple’s match) do to deal with their situation? The pasuk (Divrei Hayamim I, 2:21-22) tells that Chetzron (the firstborn of Yehuda’s most prominent son, Peretz, through whom went the chain to the monarchal dynasty) married the daughter of Menashe’s son Machir. One of this couple’s offspring was the prominent Yair. This marriage occurred many years before the Exodus from Egypt. We note that Machir also married off his daughter to a tribesman of Binyamin (compare Divrei Hayamim I, 7:11 and Bereishit 46:21).
It is possible to look at these steps as "alliances of the disappointed losers," as at the time, Chetzron, Menashe, and Binyamin were not in leadership positions. But we prefer to raise a different possibility with a stronger message, which is more likely to be true. The people of Yehuda, as led by Chetzron, and the people of Yosef, as led by Machir, understood that the tension between Yehuda and Yosef, which caused the sale of Yosef and thereby the exile to Egypt, needed to be remedied.
Only repentance and acceptance of the concept of mutual responsibility could advance the nation and ensure redemption. The sons of Leah had to be ready to pay a price and Yosef had to show magnanimity in forgiving his brothers. These steps paved the way for the future wedding that furthered the joining together of the potentially rival tribes. This joining together is far better than the question of "Who will be at the head?"
Mutual responsibility and being willing to share the burden are that which advance Israel toward repentance of portions of the nation, in the religious and the social realms, and full liberation.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
