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Beit Midrash
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The navi connects in a special way between Adoniyah and Avshalom, each of whom tried to obtain the kingdom during their father, David’s, life, the latter through an outright revolt. Both are described as taking chariots for themselves with 50 men running in front of them (Melachim I, 1: 5-6; Shmuel II, 15:1). Also, in introducing Adoniyah, it says that "she (Adoniyah’s mother) gave birth to him after Avshalom." This is strange as different women gave birth to them. One has to explain that Chagit (Adoniyah’s mother) gave birth to him after Maachah gave birth to Avshalom. However, the scripture’s intention in using such terminology must be to draw attention to similarities between the two. In fact, the midrash (Tehillim 2:9) notes the comparisons and says that just as Avshalom was a man of dispute and rebelled against his father, so too did Adoniyah.
Rav Tzadok of Lublin says that Adoniyah was the "complete" candidate for the kingship and that, in fact, this was his shortcoming. That is what the navi meant when it said that "his father had never saddened him by saying, ‘Why did you do such?’" Certainly had there been what to correct, David would have done so, but rather David had never seen anything that he felt needed correcting.
Avshalom has turned into the paradigm of the rebellious son, and for good reason (see Psikta Zutrata to Ki Teiztei). How is it then that the majority of the nation accepted his attempt to overthrow David, who was the most exalted king in our history? The answer is to be found in an earlier description of Avshalom as a man more handsome than any in the land, without a blemish from his foot to his head. A similar description is found regarding Adinayah, which leads us to reason that Adinayah’s not needing rebuke and Avshalom’s lack of blemishes are also parallel. Avshalom’s good looks were an expression of a general perfection that typified him. Even the description of the fullness of Avshalom’s hair was seen by one opinion in Chazal as due to his being a lifetime nazir.
The two "perfect" sons of David both suffered from the same problem: the conceit stemming from their vast potential and the feeling that they must have been chosen by Hashem. Those who could have been model leaders became model rebels. In these times of running after "ratings," we should pray that our leaders will know how to direct their potential toward noble goals so that their positive attributes don’t turn out to be their shortcomings.
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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.
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.