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Rashi (ad loc.) explains that it was referring to the fact that, in his pursuit, Avraham went to places where he had not previously visited. In other words, Avraham was miraculously successful despite his lack of intelligence information. The conclusion is that one who has Divine guidance can manage without GPS devices. The problem with this explanation is that the pasuk uses the future tense, whereas, according to Rashi, it refers to a past one-time event, which warrants use of the past tense. The Radak explained that Avraham and his soldiers were not tired despite the long trek.
According to both of these explanations, Avraham’s forces experienced only a nes nistar (a miracle that does not contradict the rules of nature). They were willing to risk their lives to undertake a worthy mission they believed in and, in this merit, were successful. The midrash relates to this dedication as the source of success for Avraham’s descendants 400 years later. "At that time, Hashem said: ‘you toiled for Me in the killing of the kings in the middle of the night. I swear that I will repay you in Egypt,’ as it says: ‘It was at midnight’" (Psikta Rabbati, Hosafa 1:2).
According to other sources, there were open miracles that helped Avraham. These occurred in the following realms: 1) Avraham’s strides at that time were a kilometer or more long (P’sikta, ibid.). 2) The legs of the warriors did not even pick up dirt during the event (ibid.). 3) It was only Avraham and one servant, Eliezer, who conquered the armies of the kings (Midrash Tehillim 110).
A third approach can be found in the following midrash. After killing so many people, Avraham was troubled by the likelihood that someone among them was righteous. Hashem reassured him: "a way with his feet he will not come," i.e., the sin will not relate to you. This midrash raises an important moral question: when a tzaddik fights a just war, does he have to be concerned that he will kill those who are free of blame? In this case, Avraham was not assured that he did not kill anyone righteous but that the culpability had been removed from him. His hands and feet remained clean.
Let us pray that also in our day, if we will be forced to fight wherever we must, including "until Chova to the left of Damascus," we will merit miraculous protection, as well as moral protection.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
