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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Vayakhel
What is included in the principle of Torah from the Heaven, and how does it connect to other principles of the Torah? Realize that the nature of the Torah has great impact on how we learn it and fulfill it. If it is of divine origin, from the Creator, Who is not part of creation, and it is transcendental, we must come to the following conclusions:
A. We will not find a logical reason for every commandment of the Torah. Our most famous example is the laws of the Red Heifer. The existence of some such mitzvot is the logical outcome of receiving the Torah from a power that transcends mankind. In some ways, modern science has a similar outlook to the rules of the particles of atomic physics or the attempt to fathom the vast universe and all its galaxies. As the Rabbis said, "The goal of knowledge is to know that we do not know." Scientists have a similar concept called uncertainty.
B. Since Creation is under the dominion of time, moving only forward, we must live in recognition of this phenomenon. In contrast, in Tanach, which was Divinely given (each section in its own way), the order that is written need not be chronological, which is why we often use the rule that "there is no earlier and later in the Torah" (Pesachim 6b). The Exodus is also not presented in exact order. As we have discussed, the charge to Moshe in chapter 6 preceded that of chapters 3 & 4 (the burning bush). This should be remembered when telling the story on seder night.
C. When the Torah came down from Heaven to the physical world, it was figuratively "smashed into small pieces" and then recomposed through the work of the Men of the Great Assembly, who canonized Tanach. The prophet Yirmiyahu expresses it, "My Word is like fire, says, Hashem, and like a hammer that shatters a stone" (Yirmiyahu 23:29). When we study Torah, we need to locate all of the Torah’s "pieces" and unite them, to receive a clear picture. Note that the building of the Mishkan appears in five portions of Shemot, as well as in Vayikra and Bamidbar. If you study the topic in only one of the sections, you will get only a partial picture.
So too, the Exodus from Egypt, appears in four of the sections of the Torah – all but Bereishit. Even to that we need to add that which appears in the Prophets, such as Yoel, and in Tehillim. These complete our picture.
These ideas serve as one more manifestation of the importance of unity, which connects sections of the Nation, as the Torah sources need to be. We must gather elements that appear to be distant.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
