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Beit Midrash
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The material of Torah study is not completed with the study of Tanach or Mishna but requires much greater breadth, if you are able to do that. If you are not able, it is possible to fulfill "day and night" by reciting Kri’at Shema, according to one opinion. A second opinion requires at least setting a certain amount of time for study in the day and the night.
There are two types of obligations. One relates to the quantity of material studied. The other relates to the element of time investment. One cannot say: I have free time, so I will go play tennis. No! It is true that if one is tired, he is allowed to take a trip, involve himself in something other than Torah, or amuse himself, as this can make him healthier. The Rambam (De’ot 3:3) applies to such a scenario the pasuk of "In all of your paths know Him" (Mishlei 3:6). However, when the alternative activity is to be done as a hobby and simple enjoyment, one should find this enjoyment and entertainment in Torah. "For [Torah] is our life and the length of our days" (from daily prayers). The pasuk says: "If Your Torah was not my delight, I would have been lost in my affliction" (Tehillim 119:92). Yes, even delight and entertainment is in the Torah. This gives the energy and the importance that makes Israel a special nation – the nation of Torah.
I want to especially stress here that the study of Torah is not just so that we will be able to properly fulfill the mitzvot. Rather it gives the emotional framework, as the Rabbis taught that "Torah brings a person to action" (Kiddushin 40b). What does this mean? The pasuk says: "You shall teach them to your children … so that your days and the days of your children will be increased in the Land that Hashem swore to your forefathers to give them as the days that the heavens are above the land" (Devarim 11:19-21). The stress of the increase in days on the Land tells us that Torah study is a facilitator of success in and connection to the Land. Our merit to deserving the Land is acquired to a great extent by our study and teaching of Torah. The pasuk "as the days that the heavens are above the land" can be explained wittily as follows: This refers to spiritual days over the land. The situation of studying Torah turns the physical life into one that accompanies the spiritual side.
Recently one of the writers who consider themselves very smart, stressed: "Our skies are empty; we do not see anything; there is nothing." He does not notice or realize that if this is the case, he should not be calling people he respects "men of spirit." Where does the spirit come from if not from the Heaven, if there is nothing spiritual? If only that which you can touch and measure exists, then what is spirit (lit., wind) and where does it come from?
We also see all of the pursuit of honor and of improper use of protektzia. We would like to see leaders who set a path to follow, but they are missing the truly spiritual element. They are missing "as the days that the heavens are above the land" because they are missing "You shall teach it to your children." Torah study is sorely missing!
Moreshet Shaul (46)
Various Rabbis
43 - MORESHET SHAUL: THE STUDY OF CHUMASH
44 - MORESHET SHAUL: REGULATION OF LAND RIGHTS IN A SETTLEMENT EXTENSION – PART I
45 - MORESHET SHAUL: THE DAYS THAT THE HEAVEN IS ABOVE THE LAND – PART II
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Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part III
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
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: Introduction to Midrash Rabba – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 121-124
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: What Connects Us as a Nation – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 704
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.
