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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
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Micha, a prophet of the same generation, also uses this parable to describe the establishment of a future independent Jewish State (5:1-3). Micha invokes hints to King David, speaking of the youth from Beit Lechem. He infers that the future liberation will have similarities to the emergence of David to leadership, referring to the return to the Land after great tribulations (see Radak ad loc.).
Let us quote the preamble of Israel’s Declaration of Independence: "In the Land of Israel the Jewish Nation has arisen, in the place where its spiritual, religious, and political image was forged, in which it lived as a robust kingdom and created national and universal cultural resources and enriched the world with the eternal Book of Books." It ends off "… with trust in the Rock of Israel (Tzur Yisrael) and its savior, we hereby sign with our hands as testament of this declaration."
There are varied interpretations of the term Tzur Yisrael. The religious signatories explained that it shows trust in Hashem, one of whose titles is Tzur Yisrael. In contrast, those who did not identify as religious explained that they were referring to their faith in the strength of the Jewish People. The fact that so many from such differing world views were able to agree on a joint text for the declaration enabled a united front at that critical juncture in Jewish history. The earliest use of Tzur referring to Hashem is in the Song of Ha’azinu – "The Rock whose actions are complete, for all of His paths are justice" (Devarim 32:4).
The person who especially used the title Tzur for Hashem was King David, as it appears ten times in Tehillim and the Songs of David in Shmuel, including "Tzur Yisrael" (Shmuel II, 23:3). Some of those who did not want Hashem’s Name to be in the Declaration of Independence were happy to have a term coined by David, the first man after the entry to the Land who succeeded in uniting all of the tribes. A connection was felt between the state of King David and the state led by David Ben Gurion. The birth mentioned in the beginning of our parasha connects to the birth of the nation that left slavery in Egypt, as described in the Haggada, and the birth described by the prophets of the ultimate liberation.
This Shabbat, when we recite Kabbalat Shabbat and decide to sing to the Tzur of our salvation (Tehillim 95:1), we should also pray that all of the prophecies about the ultimate salvation, which have begun to be fulfilled, will continue to proceed along the path to the process’s glorious conclusion. The more we unite and serve as people responsible for the welfare of our brethren, the greater the chance of an earlier liberation.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Returning Torah to its Central Standing – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 312
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.