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Rav Neventzal (Sichot L’Yom Hakippurim, pp. 95-104) asks a simple but insightful question. Hashem did challenge Noach’s neighbors to prevent Noach from entering the ark and the Egyptians from allowing Bnei Yisrael from leaving. Each was naturally capable of preventing the event. However, why would Bnei Yisrael think that they could prevent Moshe from dying?
One could answer based on the Midrash Tanchuma (Vaetchanan 6) that Hashem offered Moshe that he could enter the Land, but the price was that Bnei Yisrael would have to be destroyed, an offer Moshe rejected. Perhaps Bnei Yisrael would have taken a drastic step of agreeing to have a plague or the like to take responsibility for its shortcomings, thus forcing Hashem to allow Moshe to live.
In any case, Rav Neventzal cites a different answer in the name of Rav Chaim Shmulevitz. Had Hashem allowed them to do so, Bnei Yisrael could have prayed in an extremely sincere, impassioned manner for Moshe’s survival, which would have kav’yachol forced Hashem to accept their prayers. We find a similar concept in the gemara in Ketubot (104a) regarding the death of Rebbi (Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi). He was suffering greatly as he was on the verge of death, as the righteous of his generation prayed beneath his home for his survival. Seeing his situation, his servant prayed that the heavenly beings who wanted Rebbi should overcome the people who wanted him to live, but the people were praying too strongly, and he thus did not die. The servant threw a jug near the crowd, with the explosion silencing the prayers for long enough for Rebbi to die.
We see from these sources how exceptionally strong the power of tefilla is. Of course, not every prayer is intense enough to be a formidable force for Hashem to reckon with. As Rav Neventzal points out briefly (and we, even more briefly) not every wish should be prayed for and not always does one get the response he desires. But every proper prayer is noticed and leaves some kind of mark in the Heavens and the earth.
When we say that "repentance, prayer, and charity can remove the harm of the decree" these words are literal and powerful beyond our natural expectations. Let us take them seriously and make the most of the powerful tools we were granted.
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Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts