YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Bamidbar
The students of the Gra reminded us about this marriage between the two beloveds described in Shir Hashirim. The "couple" is to live in Yerushalayim on high, while in Yerushalayim in this world there is a makom (place) that Hashem will choose as an abode for His presence that Israel can seek out (see Devarim 12:5). The "makom", which is also a term used for Hashem, is the point of connection between the two Yerushalayims, as David learned when he saw the fearful angel of Hashem suspended between heaven and earth (Divrei Hayamim I, 21:16).
The Nation of Israel, in its ethereal form, already married Hashem while in the desert at the completion of sefirat ha’omer. In fact, the students of the Gra pointed out that the following three concepts share the same gematria: Knesset Yisrael, Yerushalayim Shel Ma’ala, and Sefirat Ha’omer. If so, the most appropriate time for weddings would be the momentous days of sefirat ha’omer, and yet this is a time that we do not allow weddings. We will explain after three introductory points:
1. Sefirat ha’omer is connected to Shabbat. In describing the counting’s beginning and duration, the Torah invokes the term Shabbat multiple times, including surprising usages (see Vayikra 23:15). 2. The famous poem Lecha Dodi talks about going out to greet the bride and greeting Shabbat. Is it a song about weddings or Shabbat?! 3. During the sefira, we mourn the death of R. Akiva’s students, who did not treat each other properly. This is surprising considering that R. Akiva uniquely stressed the centrality of treating others properly!
We suggest as follows. From the Exodus until the giving of the Torah, there was a marriage process between Hashem and Knesset Yisrael, bringing us back to the situation of Adam before his sin. The Golden Calf lowered us – the continuation of the wedding was delayed until the End of Days – the day that is fully Shabbat and menucha (see Tamid 7:4). So sefira starts after Shabbat and creates seven Shabbat cycles, until the groom and bride can reunite, as can the different Yerushalayims. In the meantime, though, the sefirat ha’omer period is incomplete. It was even impossible to plan publicly for the future marriage, because the Roman subjugators would have stepped in to put it down. Only 500 years ago, did the Tzfat Kabbalists sneak in the song of yearning for the wedding under the guise of "only" singing about Shabbat. It is therefore appropriate that we sing Lecha Dodi on Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim and that we allow weddings on these two special days.
As we celebrate Yerushalayim Unification Day, so may we look forward to the next stage of unifying Yerushalayim – that from above with that from below.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
