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- Yom Haatzmaut
We always comforted mourners that they should be comforted "together with all of the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim: (Prisha, Y.D. 393), for the real comfort is to be with YOUR own. Unfortunately for 2,000 years that comfort did not come (until now)!
Perhaps because of the universality of anti-Semitism, as expressed in chazal ("[It's a] halacha that Esav hates Ya'akov", Sifre Bamidbar 69), we unfortunately sometimes tend to make simplistic associations, & lump all this hatred together, for in fact "in every generation the [gentiles] rise up to eradicate us" ("והיא שעמדה"). Similarly, as Jewish history is somewhat cyclical, we somewhat justifiably associate our present war with Iran as just another link in that chain of "Anti-Semites".
On the other hand, Rav Kook (Ayn Aya Brachot 7, 15) explains that just as it's important to learn history ("זכור ימות עולם") for it somewhat repeats itself, but the continuation is "בינו שנות דור ודור" (=examine and notice the differences between every generation).
As we've written previously, although they are so close on the calendar, there is no comparison between Yom HaShoa and Yom HaZikaron, and how much more so, the systematic eradication of 6,000,000 Jews in the Shoah is totally different on almost all accounts from our present war with Iran. There's no comparison between having to occasionally carry our children to the shelter just to be safe, and the child (later Prof.) Yaffa Eliach's baby brother being suffocated so the Nazis won't hear his crying reveal the family's hiding place.
Not only are we Jews comforted today in being back together again "in Tzion and Yerushalayim", and not only are we stronger than we were 80 years ago, but even compared to 2 years ago, before Oct. 7th/Simchat Torah. Hamas is hiding like mice in their tunnels, Lebanon and Syria are begging us for peace treaties, and even the giant Iran is helpless against our air-force. Our status in the Mid-East, the world and the present President Trump, the most influential person in the world, is stronger than it ever has been for the past 3,000 years (with some specific exceptions right after the Six Day War), and approaching what it was in the time of David HaMelech. With Hashem's help, "we've come a long way"!
According to the US News, we are the 10th strongest country in the world (militarily and economically) out of 193 in the United Nations (ahead of England, Canada and almost everyone)! We hope that the present cease-fire will lead to good peace agreements, because BH they are out of a position of strength and not weakness. We surely have a lot to thank Hashem for on this coming יום ד'/Wed., Yom haAtzma'ut! Chodesh Tov & Shabbat Shalom! 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 Understanding the Beauty of Shabbat - Tasting the World to Come
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 15
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.
