YeshivaThe torah world Gateway Beit Midrash
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tavo
As we know from bentching and as the gemara (Berachot 48b) says, right next to our thanks for the Torah comes our thanks for brit milah. According to Rabbeinu Bachyei’s thesis, is this mitzva too related to Eretz Yisrael specifically? Looking at Sefer Yehoshua, where the entrance to the Land is chronicled, we see the following chain of events. Bnei Yisrael fulfilled the command of writing the Torah on stones upon crossing the Jordan. The next thing mentioned is a mass fulfillment of brit milah, as most of the men entering Eretz Yisrael had not had one in the desert. Both of these events occurred on the 10th of Nisan. The next thing mentioned is the first Korban Pesach in Eretz Yisrael.
There is much discussion in Chazal and among commentaries as to how it could be that most of Bnei Yisrael did not have a brit milah when they were under Moshe’s tutelage. The explanation is that because of a basically legitimate fear of danger under conditions in the desert, most refrained from milah. It still seems strange that considering all the miracles in the desert, Hashem could not have assured the people that they could proceed safely with a brit, yet on the very day they entered a new and potentially hostile land they were free to do so. The Radak says that the timing of the mass britot in Yehoshua’s times coincided with the upcoming Korban Pesach. However, the Yalkut Shimoni (Yehoshua 15) says that there was a message to Bnei Yisrael involved in this immediate undertaking. "Do not think you can enter the Land and keep the foreskins." The Yalkut points out that when Avraham Avinu was first commanded to do the brit milah, it was in the context of the promise that his descendants would receive Eretz Yisrael.
So we have a strong indication that brit milah and the Torah (in general, and the writing on stones upon entering Eretz Yisrael specifically) are merits that are connected to success in the Land. Both attach a physical sign of an important concept related to the matter. Milah reminds us that the Jewish body must be used in a holy manner as part of a covenant with Hashem. Eretz Yisrael is to be used as a base for the national fulfillment of the Torah. These mezuzah¬-like stones on the gateway to the Land set the tone for what needed and needs, now and in the future, to be proper use of the national homeland.
Lessons
fast navigation

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.








