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Beit Midrash
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A. Crying out & praying to G-d is always good, especially when many of His people are inconvenienced or frightened. But we dealt here with how NOT to be scared, not just as a strategic beneficial mindset, but also because it's really TRUE!
As we wrote, undoubtedly there were pessimists and Kvetches as G-d delivered us from Egypt, but they were proven totally wrong. Moreover, in the Haggada's machloket (Brachot 1, 5), the halachic conclusion is like Ben Zoma, that we must mention G-d's taking us out of Egypt every night (not just in the day), but NOT in Y'mot HaMashiach (Rambam Kr.Sh. 1, 3; Mishna Brura 67, 3-4), for we can ALREADY see that the final redemption PALES & OVERSHADOWS the Exodus from Mitzra'im.
Without getting into the discussion of who and when can we make that modification in our daily, weekly and yearly calendar, that Yom HaAtzma'ut, Yom Yerushalayim and future celebrations will REPLACE Yitzia't Mitzra'im, objectively TODAY'S REDEMPTION is ALREADY much greater on 6 accounts (doubling the list of R. Uri Cherki):
1. It's been 2,000 years of hell, not just 210.
2-3. The salvation follows an unprecedented systemic & sadistic murder of 6,000,000 Jews, not just slavery (qualitative) of about 2,000,000 (quantitative).
4. Today's redemption is from 102 different countries in 6 vastly dispersed continents, not just from Egypt.
5. This century's redemption is through natural and not super-natural means, showing that G-d totally controls and solves even the most complicated complex problems over long periods of time, unlike the quick 'zapping' in Egypt (which BTW was followed by many difficulties and kvetchings during 40 years in the desert…). In one of his classic letters Rav Kook writes to Rav Charlap (Igrot HaReiya 753), "Woe, we should not leave NATURE in her lowly status, without connecting her with the holy bond of eternal light… The fact that the redemption of Israel is approaching "bit by bit" (gradually & naturally, as we were taught, Yerushalmi Brachot 1, 1) is NOT WEAKNESS, but rather Gevura shebaGevurot (the ultimate in greatness of G-d). Not b'dieved but for us, it's l'chatchila!
6. This redemption is final, and there won't be another exile (just Google: Another Exile Ari Shvat), while boy, have there been a lot of exiles since Egypt!
In addition, we should stop arguing about whether the glass is half-full or half-empty and be grateful that we HAVE A GLASS at all. Moreover, the glass is always 100% full: half with water, and half with air, because everything has value, even the aspects that seem "empty" or invisible, like peace or especially educational lessons.
"The optimist sees the glass as half-full. The pessimist sees the glass as half-empty. The engineer sees a glass that is twice as large as it needs to be." Let's start viewing our situations from a new, G-dly & historical perspective.
Statistically, the missiles are getting scarcer, an average of 10-15 a day. From the beginning of the Lion's Roar operation, 400 missiles have been fired towards Israel, and the IDF has successfully intercepted over 92%. Nevertheless, security has constantly stressed that our world-leading advanced defense system is not air-tight, so civilians MUST go to shelters. MOST of those killed or wounded were those who didn't follow the security directives, because of psychological, "religious" or sociological excuses. The Rambam, writing as world-leading rabbi, philosopher and doctor COMBINED, writes (Guide for the Perplexed 3, 12) that most of the problems and pain in the world we bring upon ourselves (I've heard some expressly say, "we're not "makpid" on shelters").
As I return home once again from my shelter (together with millions of other Israelis), in wake of the aforementioned ideas, I strongly suggest reading last week's post once-again, to be that much more thankful to Hashem & His Jewish State & IDF. If shelters & army are the price we must pay to rid ourselves from those who wish to nuke us, let's not kvetch but objectively rejoice upon where we are in Jewish history.
Who knows, perhaps chalila their own wounded may lessen the derision in Bnei Brak towards human efforts on behalf of Jewish security to undergo some important rethinking, which will also be a significant Teshuva & return to the original Torah (Rambam) approach, obligating shelters & armies. In truth, more important than if the glass is half-full or half-empty; is that we should all learn there is a FAUCET nearby that we should notice & use! 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.
Ein Aya Why Judaism Respects the Corpse and the Dead- Eternity, Not Superstition
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 52
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
