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The root that comes up no less than 14 times in the narrative of Bilam is davor, which is used both to mean speech and in the word davar (thing, matter). He discussed the things he would say, listening to what Hashem would say, speaking to Balak, Balak speaking to him…
We have explained in the past that the root davor can be a sign of prophecy, as we find by the devarim that Moshe said (Devarim 1:1), that Yirmiyahu said (Yirmiyahu 1:1), and that Yaakov was careful about (Bereishit 37:11).
This time, we will go in the direction of another usage of the root – the realm of tefilla (prayer). We saw it last week when Moshe was commanded to speak to the stone (Bamidbar 20:8), and instead Moshe hit the stone twice (ibid. 11).
The Netziv (Bamidbar 20:13) relates to this event the riddle-like words of Chazal on the pasuk (Shir Hashirim 7:6): "Your head is upon you like carmel, and the strands of your head are like purple fabric, a king is detained in the rehatim (channels?)." Vayikra Rabba (31:4) comments on the pasuk as follows: "Your head is upon you like carmel" refers to the prayer of Eliyahu, who went up to the Carmel: "and the strands of your heads are like purple fabric" refers to the prayers of David. "A king is detained in the rehatim" refers to Moshe who did not pray but rather hit, and therefore Hashem decreed upon him that he would not enter Eretz Yisrael because of the rehatim of the "waters of quarrels."
The following is how the Netziv, the Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin, the mother of the pre-Holocaust yeshivot, continued this theme of the tefillot of men of great spirituality. "Indeed, our Rabbis of blessed memory removed the veil from this wonderful matter. Even when Hashem clearly wants to bring an abundance of good, and there is no need at this time to awaken Heavenly mercy, still it is His desire that people will pray first, because this is the manner in which the Creator set matters."
So we have learned something new – prayers can be called speech and fit the root of davor. While Bilam’s own tefillot were not intended to bring good to Am Yisrael, but rather the opposite, his words have become a major part of our legacy and our prayers. The vision of our nation that Hashem publicized through Bilam, made it possible for us to sharpen our view of what we can be and what we should pray for.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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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.
