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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
יעקב בן בכורה
Moshe’s prayer after cheit ha’egel came at a time when Bnei Yisrael’s relationship to Hashem can be compared to that of a bride and groom when the groom cancels the wedding. The midrash compares the breaking of the tablets to the tearing of a marriage contract in order to protect the bride who was unfaithful from being judged as a married woman (Shmot Rabba 43). The aim of Moshe’s subsequent prayer was to try to renew the marriage between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael. On Yom Kippur, Hashem declared, "salachti" (I forgive you), signifying the return to the status of bride and groom. Both the story of Moshe and Tehillim 27 speak of being encased in sukka. In Tanach, this can refer to entering under the marriage canopy (as is implied in Yeshaya 4:5-6). Indeed, the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are sanctified as days to prepare and return to Hashem in order to renew Bnei Yisrael’s marriage to the Holy One Blessed be He.
According to this, we can understand why it could be deemed inappropriate to be busy preparing for a personal, marriage ceremony between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. This time is sanctified as a time to work on our connection with Hashem and our "communal canopy" and not a time to worry about our personal, wedding arrangements. Along these lines, we can show an added significance in reading the last perek of Hoshea on Shabbat Shuva. This perek uses terminology that is uniquely reminiscent of Shir Hashirim ("I shall be like the dew to Israel, it will blossom like a rose and strike its roots like the (forest of) Lebanon. Its tender branches will spread... Tranquil will be those who sit in its shade, they will refresh themselves like grain and blossom like the grapevine ..." (Hoshea 14:,6-8). Indeed both describe Hashem’s relationship with Bnei Yisrael as that of a young couple in love. These psukim are read on Shabbat Shuva to remind us to focus on Israel’s relationship with her Beloved.
Let us pray that during this time we too will find favor in Hashem’s eyes, and will merit returning to the status of being face to face with Hashem.
Parashat Hashavua Shabbat and Teshuva
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – condensed from Aroch Si’ach, pp. 238-242
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.
