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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Tzav
Tannaim debate when this arvut obtained full force (see Sanhedrin 43b). R. Yehuda maintains that national liability for hidden sins did not begin until Bnei Yisrael entered Eretz Yisrael. R. Nechemia asserts that Bnei Yisrael were not liable to punishment for even revealed sins before crossing the Jordan. This phemonenon heightens the impact of Eretz Yisrael from both a national and a spiritual perspective.
The covenantal (brit) element of Sinai is repeated at Mt. Grizim and Mt. Eval, as Moshe commanded Yehoshua. The nation accepted the blessings and curses with an affimation of "Amen" (see Devarim 27, Sota 32a), and the dynamic of the involvement of the various tribes, and the arvut engendered in it, are major. The gemara (ibid. 37a-b) continues to show the vastness of the covenant – encompassing the individual and the collective, the elements of learning the mitzva’s details, teaching them, and the dedication to and performance of the mitzvot. Including the brit at Sinai and before entering the Land, every mitzva of the Torah was confirmed with 48 britot of all six-hundred-thousand plus Jews. This comes to tens of millions of britot upon which we are all arevim.
Even if we do not adopt the literal element of the numerical magnitude of the mutual responsibility, the responsibility toward the spirituality of our brethren, the House of Israel, is uniquely powerful. Tragically, the fire of dispute and fragmentation is spreading these days like a wildfire, and it is in complete contrast to what, as we have seen, is our basic national responsibility.
This time of the year, we are noting our entering the Land, which occurred soon before Pesach (10 Nisan – Yehoshua 4:19), in addition to the freedom from enslavement, physical and spiritual, on Pesach. Soon thereafter, we commemorate the giving of the Torah. In our generation, new important commerations arose – remembrances for the victims of the Holocaust and victims of the struggle for the creation and upholding of our national independence in the State of Israel. This is a great backdrop to remember our obligation of mutual responsibility. This is a reason to increase love of our nation and our fellow Jews, and to try to speak positively about all of them, even if we do not agree with the actions and philosophies of some. If we focus on our stake in the welfare of every brother and sister, we can reach understandings with 90% of the population on the matters that challenge our unity. This is the way to proceed to make us fit for the coming of Mashiach.
We conclude with a homiletic point – arvut is hinted at already in Creation, with the words "It was erev (evening) and it was morning, day one" (Bereishit 1:5). Let us say – if we will each be an arev, we will see the dawning of the long-awaited day of redemption, the day of Oneness, when Hashem will be One and His Name will be One (Zecharia 14:9). Then we will see victory, when Hashem judges the mountain of Eisav and restores His full Kingdom (Ovadia 1:21).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.