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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Helwa Bat Farcha
After rectifying matters religiously, it was time to rescind the decree, cessation of rain for three years, which Eliyahu had imposed on the people through his request of Hashem. After the repentance he elicited from the people and even from Achav, Eliyahu told Achav to go and eat, as rain was coming (Melachim I, 18:41).
While Achav was eating, Eliyahu went to the top of Mt. Carmel and did something called lighor toward the ground (ibid:42). Rashi and other commentators explain that he was praying for rain. This idea probably comes from the word vayighar, a verb found only in one other place in Tanach, when Eliyahu’s student Elisha was resurrecting the son of the Shunamite (Melachim II, 4:33-35).
What was the point of praying for rain when the whole reason for the drought was Eliyahu’s request of Hashem, which he was now rescinding? Secondly, Hashem had already commanded Eliyahu to approach Achav (Melachim I, 18:1) so that "I will give rain on the face of the earth." If that is what Hashem wanted, why was there a need for prayer?
The Netziv explains the point of the prayer based on a midrash on a difficult pasuk in Shir Hashirim (7:6) that we must bring in a mixture of English and Hebrew. "Rashech is on you like carmel, and dalat of your head like argaman, a king tied up in rehatim." The midrash (Vayikra Rabba 31) explains: the poor among you are beloved to Me like Eliyahu who went to Mt. Carmel. The weak among you are beloved like David. The final phrase is a reference to Moshe who was prevented from entering the Land because of the water of rehatim.
The Netziv explains as follows. The lowliest in the nation is like the greatest leader in that all can succeed only with prayer, which gives the nation power Above. Even when Hashem wants to bestow blessing on the nation, He still wants prayer to precede the blessing. Accordingly, Moshe’s mistake at the waters of quarrel was that he did not pray that the water should come out of the rock; rather, he relied on Hashem’s assurance alone.
Indeed we should always turn to Hashem in prayer, even when we feel that we are assured success, all the more so when we do not.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
