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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Shavuot
Although we recite 3 different Birkot HaTorah every day, the Talmud (Brachot 11b) teaches that the "best" of these 3 is the final one, "אשר בחר בנו מכל העמים ונתן לנו את תורתו...", "that He chose us from all of the nations, and gave us His Torah". Rashi explains why this is the best of those 3 brachot: "For it contains thanks to G-d, and praise for Torah and ISRAEL".
Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt"l often stressed (e.g. Mitoch HaTorah haGoelet, ch. 4) that first Hashem chose Israel, and subsequently gave us His Torah. Not that our uniqueness stems from what we received the Torah, but contrarily, He first chose us and accordingly gave us the Torah. One who forgets the specialness of Israel is missing the key to accepting the Torah. It's a "package deal" (the midrash inferring that G-d considered giving the Torah to other nations comes to teach another message, but is exactly that, just a midrash).
Similarly, upon examining this parallel between Ahava Rabba (the "great love" that G-d loves Israel) and Birkat HaTorah, we see that the essence of this most important bracha (which together with Birkat HaMazon are the only 2 brachot which are m'd'oraita), is as always found in the end, subsequent to the summarizing bracha:
"והביאנו לשלום מארבע כנפות הארץ ותוליכנו קוממיות לארצנו, כי א-ל פועל ישועות אתה ובנו בחרת מכל עם ולשון... ברוך אתה ה' הבוחר בעמו ישראל באהבה" , "And bring us to peace from the FOUR CORNERS of the earth and lead us UPRIGHT to our LAND. Because, You are the Almighty, Who performs acts of REDEMPTION, and You have chosen us from among all NATIONS and LANGUAGES, and You have brought us close to Your great Name, forever in truth; that we may give thanks to You, and proclaim Your Oneness, with love. Blessed are You, Adonay, Who chooses His nation Israel with LOVE".
Similarly, the other bracha before Kriyat Shema, which praises G-d as the Creator of lights, explicitly mentions that it's not just referring to 5786 years ago, but also "אור חדש על ציון תאיר", "the new light which He will shine on Zion" with the advent of Israel's redemption, which again is subsequent to the summarizing bracha, is included in that plural blessing, "ברוך אתה ה' יוצר המאורות" (haMe'orot). G-d's running of Jewish history and redemption to this day, is a natural continuation of Creation.
Accordingly, as we approach Shavu'ot, and celebrate our receiving the Torah, we must recognize that the current Zionist gathering of the exiles in mass aliya to Israel, and living "upright" with self-respect in our Jewish State, are the direct doing of Hashem "Who performs acts of redemption". This entire Zionist rebirth is a direct outcome that we are His chosen nation. And just as we are about to proclaim His Oneness (in Shema), He first proclaims OUR oneness, and His unique love for Am Yisrael.
The Mishna (Ta'anit 4, 8) teaches us on the pasuk "on the day of his marriage" (Shir HaShirim 3, 11), is referring to Shavu'ot, when Hashem wed with Israel. This act of mutual designation of the other's oneness and single love, is what we celebrate.
How can we not love Israel, when Hashem loves us so much! The Zohar (vol. 3, 73a) teaches that "Israel, the Torah, and G-d Himself are actually one and the same". Accordingly, Shavuot, the holiday of Matan Torah, resonates with His and our love of Israel, the Land, the State ("קוממיות") and the Torah. עם ישראל בארץ ישראל על פי תורת ישראל!
Chag Same'ach & Besorot Tovot! 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 Why Judaism Respects the Corpse and the Dead- Eternity, Not Superstition
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 52
The Giving of the Torah When Should We Use Facts, Logic or Kabbala in Learning Torah?
Ein Aya Shabbat 4 7
Ein Aya Complete G-dliness Doesn't Weaken But Enhances Natural Drives
Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 50
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
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.
