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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Ki Tisa
Let us understand the background. The Megilla opens with an account of Achashveirosh, who ruled 127 provinces, from Hodu to Kush." Hodu is in Asia and Kush in Africa, and they mark the boundaries of the biblical world. Implicitly, he claims the exclusive title of the king of kings. There is no room for Hashem in his perception.
Such an attitude in the world causes Hashem to react with hester panim (hiding the Divine Presence (Shechina)). It is therefore unsurprising that His Name does not appear explicitly in the Megilla, as Hashem is concealed behind the recurring term "the king."
The Shechina went with Am Yisrael into exile from Eretz Yisrael (Megilla 29a). At the time of the Persian Empire’s broad rule, there seemed to be no realistic prospect that Israel would return to the Beit Hamikdash, the home of the Shechina. Yirmiyahu had foretold that the nation would return after 70 years, and the Mikdash would be rebuilt. According to Chazal, once those years passed, Achashveirosh’s feast, at which the vessels of the Mikdash were deliberately used, constituted giving up hope for redemption and the ideal of "if they merit, the Shechina would be with and above them."
Chazal taught that a man and woman who build a home in Israel merit that the Shechina will dwell among them (Sotah 17a), reminiscent of the command to build the Mishkan "so I shall dwell among them" (Shemot 25:8). The command concludes with a double declaration: "I shall dwell in the midst of Bnei Yisrael … to dwell among them, I am Hashem" (Shemot 29:45-46). The indwelling of the Shechina is a result of families that build their homes in sanctity and purity, and this finds public expression in the Mishkan/Mikdash.
Tragically, between the command to build the Mishkan and its construction, the sin of the Golden Calf occurred. The Calf symbolizes life centered on materialism and degradation (see Shemot 32:18). Life in Achashveirosh’s palace represents a prolonged Golden Calf lifestyle. The beginning of the Megilla presents a world founded on promiscuity, drunken feasting, and a royal command that a wife appear publicly in a manner intended to shock and humiliate. Anyone who aspires to live in a world shaped by "How good are your tents, Ya‘akov …!" (Bamidbar 24:5) cannot accept such conduct. The degrading treatment of women in Iran (i.e., ancient Persia) shows that, fundamentally, things have not changed over the course of millennia.
If the Megilla is a story of redemption and of renewed possibility to experience the Shechina, then R. Yehuda, R. Yossi, and R. Shimon do not require to read the first chapter!
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.