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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.
Additional Lessons Answering Accusations of Israeli-Occupation
& Why the Moral Mitzvot are Geared Only to Jews- Not Gentiles?
Passover - Pesach Example of Shifting Gears to Build a Jewish Nation
Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat
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.
