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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
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The Jewish People know that Eretz Yisrael is the ideal place to draw close to Hashem, but this was close to impossible for 2,000 years. 250 years ago, the Vilna Gaon exhorted his disciples to build Eretz Yisrael, physically and spiritually, and hinted about a historical window for this, which would close in Elul 1939. Hundreds, including R. Menachem and R. Yisrael of Shklov, heeded the call; most of our nation did not.
Around 150 years ago, Herzl started expounding the idea of political Zionism. Few followed the practical plan he set forth at the first Zionist Congress. In the religious camp, most saw him as delusionary and his ideas as weakening the Jewish future. On the other hand, the true visionary and independent-thinking giant of Torah, Rav A.Y. Kook zt"l, emerged, after moving to Eretz Yisrael, as a supporter of political Zionism.
There are mainly three religious grounds to reject Zionism: 1. Herzl and other secular Zionists act as a Satan. 2. The Talmud (Ketubot 111a) forbids organized Jewish mass-settlement in Eretz Yisrael, which should occur through miraculous divine steps. 3. Cooperative work with secularists is spiritually dangerous and contradicts closeness with Hashem.
The first two grounds, which we link to Satmar Hasidut, have been disproven by the blessing in the spiritual as well as physical success of the State of Israel. We have seen that the path toward the divinely ordained liberation employs a "reawakening from below." The halachic claims against mass settlement are rejected by almost all halachic authorities after the foreign mandatory authorities left the Land (see Rav Zevin’s L’or Hahalcha Hamilchama I:7). However, such greats as the Chofetz Chaim and the Chazon Ish opposed Zionism based on the grounds of partnership with irreligious groups, and this has been the accepted Charedi approach for many years. The Chazon Ish led this community in the efforts to build the "world of Torah" in Eretz Yisrael, rather than the physical/political infrastructure, including service in the IDF.
However, in the past few decades there has rarely been an Israeli government without significant Charedi participation, and Charedi communities have taken major parts in building the Land. The disconnect continues primarily in regard to army service. The main complaint is about the religious difficulty of serving and the long-term impact on religious life.
However, these objections are overpowered by three points: 1. All are required to take part in a defensive war. 2. The Chashmonaim Brigade now gives a perfect response to the religious needs of Charedi soldiers. 3. The requirement to join in defense of the Jewish community is a mitzva between man and man, in a way that one cannot get close to Hashem without it. We hope that the Charedi young men will learn from the example of Rav Kook’s spiritual descendants and sanctify Hashem’s Name by distinguished service in the army.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
