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Yehudah ben Hadasah Hinde Malka
This week we read of the wonderful, yet hard to read, promise. At the time, it was a great promise toward the future, and its fulfillment is uplifting in regard to historical retrospection. "Even (Af) with all this [the curses], when they will be in the land of their enemies, I will not be disgusted with them or spit them up to destroy them to profane my covenant with them" (Vayikra 26:44).
This phenomenon has no precedent in the history of the nations. There is no record of a nation that was exiled, suffered so much that it appeared that Hashem had been disgusted by it, and yet survived as a nation. No nation has survived even hundreds of years; we have survived 2,700 since most of our nation was exiled from the Shomron. As we say in Hallel: "This was from Hashem, it is wondrous in our eyes" (Tehillim 118:23). We may add: It was promised by Hashem; therefore, it is not surprising in our eyes.
Prof. Leibowitz says the following on the aforementioned pasuk from our parasha: "This pasuk was comfort for Jews in their lands of exile. It is told of Kaiser Friedrich (15th century), who respected and protected Jews, that he was astounded by the incredible prophecy of Jewish survival... which Moshe foresaw... The historian, Graetz used to say that Jews have great protection by the great af (play on words, as it means ‘even’ and ‘nose’)."
The Meshech Chochma explains three factors through which this miracle is accomplished: 1) The leadership of Avraham, Yaakov, and Yosef engrained in future generations of the exiled the basic value to yearn for Eretz Yisrael. 2) Chazal made rabbinic prohibitions to reduce social contact with the non-Jewish host populations. 3) Hashem moved the people periodically from place to place so that they would not become overly comfortable in any place. In the context of the danger of being too comfortable in others’ lands, the Meshech Chochma wrote powerfully of the moral danger of reaching the point where one thinks that "Berlin is Jerusalem." He continued that if this happens, a great tempest will come and teach the Jewish People that it is not their home or culture.
We thank Hashem that we personally have found solace and refuge in our true home and hope that the entire nation in exile will move from the exile to Eretz Yisrael.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts