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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.
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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.
