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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
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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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
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.
