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Beit Midrash
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Rachel Bat Yakut
Yaakov came up with a great plan (however it worked, which included a lot of Divine help) to amass a lot of livestock in a short time right before his exit from his father-in-law’s house. He thereby also managed to arouse the jealousy and anger of Lavan and his family. Why did Yaakov not slowly amass his possessions over time (admittedly, according to some explanations he did try)?
Allow us to answer a question with another question. Rashi (Bereishit 46:6) deduces from the description of what Yaakov brought down with him to Egypt (many years later) that he had previously gotten rid of the property he acquired outside Eretz Yisrael. Giving it to Eisav in exchange for rights to Me’arat Hamachpela, he said, "The property of the Diaspora is not worthwhile for me." So why did he expend so much effort acquiring it and protecting it (see Rashi to 32:25) if he was not interested in keeping it? It is also interesting to note that much of the historical Jewish riches were acquired in chutz la’aretz (e.g., Avraham and Bnei Yisrael in Egypt).
We are now ready to suggest answers to our questions. Yaakov was not interested in being wealthy in chutz la’aretz, as he had asked only for bread and clothes (Bereishit 28:20). When asked for a price for his work, he asked for Rachel’s hand in marriage, with no dowry. Despite his large family, he still was in no rush. However, when the time came to return to Eretz Yisrael, he explained to Lavan, "When will I make for my house?" One could say that this referred to his household, but it is likely that it referred to his future permanent home in Israel or even to the "house [of worship]" he promised upon arriving there (ibid.:22). In other words, as long as the riches amassed in chutz la’aretz stayed in chutz la’aretz, Yaakov had little interest in them. However, when it could be used to soon build a foundation in the Land, it was valuable to him. The same was true of the riches Avraham brought home from Egypt and those Bnei Yisrael started their nationhood with on the way to the Promised Land. Yaakov got rid of the chutz la’aretz riches, either in strengthening his claim to key locations in the Land (see Midrash Tanchuma, Vayishlach 11 and Bereishit 33:19) or before leaving the Land to go to Egypt. He brought with him that which he had amassed in Israel, as those funds were already sanctified in the Land where working the land is sanctity. That which Yaakov amassed in chutz la’aretz to be used in chutz la’aretz was something that a holy man like him did not need.
So, if one had $10M that turned into $1M, with the rest being swallowed up but invested in Eretz Yisrael, that was altogether a pretty good deal.
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.
