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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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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.
