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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
In many of its appearances in the Torah, the word nitzav has a special meaning or connotation. In the Torah reading for fast days, which includes the thirteen middot that are the basis of the Selichot (Shemot 33), the root comes up three times, referring to Hashem or to Moshe standing in a special, holy context. The gemara (Rosh Hashanah 17b) says something that "if there weren’t a pasuk, it would be forbidden to say": "Hashem covered Himself like a chazan and taught Moshe how to daven. Hashem told Moshe that whenever Bnei Yisrael sin, they should daven in that manner and Hashem will forgive them." Rav Soloveitchik learned from here that during the High Holy Days, the chazan not only represents the people but represents Hashem.
Other places that the root of nitzav comes up include regarding the three angels who stood before Avraham and Avraham’s servant standing at the spring when he asked Hashem for special guidance. Later on in Tanach, Chana was described using this term when she stood in the Mishkan before Eili begging for a child. Later on, her son, Shmuel, stood before King Shaul’s officers and caused them to prophesy. The common denominator in these cases and others is a certain element of Divine Presence that was present in each context.
The connection between nitzav and Divine Presence is explicit in Chazal in regard to Moshe’s sister, Miriam. The Torah says that she was standing at a distance, seeing what would befall her baby brother. The gemara (Sota 11a) derives from the use of the root nitzav that she was undergoing prophecy. (We might mention that the root’s spiritual connotation may also be related to the word matzeiva [monument for sacrifices], which was beloved by Hashem before it was misappropriated for idol worship.)
We return to our parasha and note that nitzavim was accomplished there very specifically in the presence of the entirety of the Jewish people. We can learn from here that in order for the people to merit the special experience of Divine Revelation, it was necessary for the nation to stand as one. As the Torah stresses, the assemblage had to include the mighty and accomplished alongside the down-trodden and simple people. At times of crisis and internal strife, it is important for us to remember that unity is our greatest secret for success; it enables us to appeal to Hashem’s attributes to increase the Attribute of Mercy.
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Aroch Siach, Yamim Noraim, an address from 5714 (1953)
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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.
