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Our sages continue and elaborate such ideas even more in their midrashic and aggadic works full of great and provenly successful ideas. For example, my father z"l used to often quote in daily life, "מצוה הבאה לידך על תחמיצנה", "A mitzvah which comes to you, don't let it sit and ferment to become chametz (but do it immediately)" (Mechilta on Shmot 12, 17). Similarly, "אל תאמר לכשאפנה אשנה שמא לא תיפנה", "don't say 'when I have time I will learn', for you may never find the time" (Avot 2, 4). Also, ""המתחיל במצוה אומרים לו מרוק (=גמור) whoever begins a mitzvah, tell him finish it" (Yerushalmi Megilla 2, Tosfot Hullin 29a). The common denominator is that chazal teach us not to procrastinate, and to finish that which we began. If something is worth starting, it's usually worth finishing!
The Israeli army is presently in the process of finishing off in Iran what we began in the previous 12-day-operation "Am KaLavie", just 8 months ago to prevent their nuclear and ballistic programs directed against us. Why we didn't complete the job then, I don't know, but once we are there again, we surely must do so now efficiently.
In life, you never know how circumstances may change, and we must "seize the moment". Especially in Israel, maybe the Prime Minister will change, maybe the President of the U.S. will change. Perhaps the unity and nationalist mindset of Israel may wear down, perhaps we may run low on ammunition, perhaps anti-Semites will turn the UN against us, and much more. So often, people lament that after the Six Day War we didn't take full advantage of the atmosphere with our enemies! G-d teaches us the Torah "mindset", when he sent a prophet to rebuke Achav for not finishing off Ben-Haddad, King of Aram, whom He gave to Achav to defeat (M'lachim I, 20). In short, we must make sure that this time, we are careful to "finish them" properly!
BH Israel has basically wiped out the Iranian anti-aircraft, assassinated their "Supreme Leader" and 40 of his top military and intelligence heads within the 1st minute of the war. They are clearly "on the run", and as in boxing, we must now finish them off, as they planned to do to us. After the "Beeper Attack", Hizballah was reeling, but unfortunately we let them regroup. Hashem has given us this G-d-sent situation that we can do there whatever we want, so all we have to do is 'want'.
We find another clear Torah educational "mindset" in this week's parsha, when Moshe Rabbenu calls "מי לה' אליי". He keeps it simple and clear: "Whoever is for G-d, follow me". There are no two ways of understanding this: if you are for G-d, you come and aid when it's time for war. And if you do not come, you are not for G-d (Shmot 32, 26).
Matityahu copied (even if not precisely), where in the Book of Maccabees I (2, 27), "Whoever is zealous for the Torah and the covenant (with G-d), will follow me" and fight the Greeks. The ancient historian Yosifun (ch. 19, the end of the Geonic period, about 1,100 years ago, according to most editions), claims that Matityahu (or Yehuda HaMaccabee) actually copied Moshe's words precisely. Either way, whoever celebrates Chanukah should also learn from and emulate the clear words and actions of Matityahu and the Maccabees.
Moreover, Moshe Rabbenu (rebuking Reuven and Gad, "Shall your brothers go to war while you stay here?!", Bamidbar 32, 6), Deborah the prophetess (Shoftim 5, 16 & 23) and the Rambam harshly rebuke those who don't come to help Israel during war, 'Cursed be he who does G-d's work deceitfully, cursed be he who withholds his sword from blood' (Rambam, Hil. M'lachim u'Milchamoteihem 7, 15, based upon Yirmiyahu 48, 10- it should be noted that he is even referring there to a Milchemet R'shut, an "optional war"!). Regarding those who don't help during war, Rav Soloveichik even applies the very severe castigation of the Rambam (Hil. Teshuva, 3, 11) to one who doesn't participate with Israel in her time of trouble (Community, Covenant and Commitment [Hebrew], 2011, 68, 244, based upon.).
As regarding the issue of energetic action without delay, here too the advice and obligation of the Torah mindset, concept and wording are clear as can be: whoever is loyal to G-d, comes to fight His and His nation's enemies, with that same zeal. Shabbat Shalom! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)
Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.
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Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 50
The Giving of the Torah When Should We Use Facts, Logic or Kabbala in Learning Torah?
Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
