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Beit Midrash
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- Moreshet Shaul
We now take the step to the matter of Torah and mitzvot. Education for Torah in the Jewish People was never a secondary pursuit; it was always the most basic foundation in life. In the cradle, they put children to sleep with lullabies about Torah. It is told about R. Yehoshua ben Chananya (Yerushalmi, Yevamot 1:6) that his mother would take him at a very early age to the beit midrash in order that his ears should pick up the words of Torah. People’s ideal was the Torah scholar. Their derogatory image was of one who was ignorant of Torah. If one of the group of students of Torah emerged as a Torah authority, then his thousand peers who started the process of scholarship did not end up ignorant. Parents would take their children to the teacher for the first time wrapped in a tallit, and they would make a real celebration. Torah was something that was truly loved.
A child who would see this in his father, spending his free time on Torah study. It would awaken the child’s desire to learn, and he would imitate his father. One should not think that the child will receive this desire if he sees that his father never opens up a book, and if he does not see his father’s dedication for scholarship. People complain that their children have no connection to books, that they cannot sit with a serious book and read it, and that most students do not finish school. They forget that, first and foremost, the parents are to blame, as the children did not see in their actions the affection for the world of books.
Moreshet Shaul (44)
Various Rabbis
35 - Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part III
36 - Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part IV
37 - Moreshet Shaul: Character Refinement – part V
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A friend told me about a nice practice – every time he and the family eat, he learns a portion of Torah. This is very important so that his child will see that what the child is being told to do is not a special obligation for him but it is something that everyone needs to do. The way our lives are lived now, it is worthwhile that the mother is also involved in the study. It is an entirely good idea that every supper should include a study of the Torah portion of the week.
It is important, although not to the same degree, that the parents take interest in what the children are studying in school. It is not enough to ensure that the child is doing his homework. It is worthwhile that when he returns home from school, the mother or father will hear what he learned that day. Similarly, an oral test on the week’s material is important.
Whoever has memories from yeshiva should tell them to the child, and in so doing excite him about his future as a yeshiva student. It is crucial to stress over and over the importance of his continuing to study at the older ages of yeshiva students, and to describe this as the ideal.
We will conclude this topic next week.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Spiritual Self-Improvement – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 405-7 (from the 1930s
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: Eretz Yisrael in Halacha and in Sanctity – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 137
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 704
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part III
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
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.